House call patterns of New Jersey family physicians.

House call attitudes and practice patterns of New Jersey family physicians were studied in order to assist residency programs in curriculum development. House calls were offered by 82 percent of the 290 physicians in the sample; no difference was noted between rural and urban or between younger and older physicians. The average number of house calls per week was 6.05, of which 4.71 and 1.34 were scheduled and emergency respectively. Patients who were elderly, home-bound, had suffered a stroke, had cancer or congestive heart failure made up the majority of those receiving house calls. This survey also showed that many of the physicians who stated that they do not "offer" house calls to their patients, did in fact perform them. These study results support the thesis that family practice residencies should develop criteria and a protocol for house calls. Among the results which may be expected following such an innovation are increased satisfaction for patients and physicians alike.

Duke Scholars

Author Samuel W. Warburton Jr. Family Medicine and Community Health, Family Medicine