One of the most problematic health issues for many people today is that their regular GP does not offer home visits. The days of calling out your GP if your child is unwell or you can’t get into the clinic seem to be long gone, but fortunately, After Hours doctor services are available to fill the gap. So, what can you expect, and what does the treatment involve?
Episodic, Acute Illness
Illness can hit at any time, particularly in the most vulnerable; the elderly and very small children. When it’s the weekend or late at night, your family GP is likely to be nowhere to be found. While there is the possibility of the hospital, emergency rooms are designed for a life-threatening situation, and non-threatening cases can often wait hours and hours to be seen. Fortunately, after hours doctor services can bridge the gap for medical care when your GP is unavailable, but it is not serious enough to rush out to the hospital.
Home Appointments
A home visit is not a new concept. In the past, many family doctors would visit their patients at home to check on bedridden, frail, or otherwise vulnerable people. Those of a certain generation will remember house calls, but today’s doctors are often unable to perform home visits after a busy day at their surgery. Fortunately, after hours doctors fulfil this role.
Carers, parents, and partners calling for a loved one are usually very grateful for a home visit. When calling for a loved one or themselves, people are usually anxious and worried about an injury or illness that needs medical attention. After hours doctors not only provide clinical skills, but offer a superb “bedside manner” to calm anxieties or lend a sympathetic ear.
Urgent Medical Attention
After hours doctors are available when GP practices are closed, at the weekends, and all night to treat a variety of urgent illnesses. These are typically issues that cannot wait until the next working day, but don’t warrant visiting the emergency room. At the top of the list are acute respiratory illnesses, such as croup, flu, bronchitis, or viral infections. There are also patients with chronic respiratory issues or asthma who benefit from home visits.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Just like your regular GP or emergency room doctor, an after hours doctor will examine the patient and ask questions to make a diagnosis. The home doctor will recommend a treatment or effective remedies that can be followed up with your family GP. Most after hours doctors carry starter packs of medication, so if needed you can start treatment immediately.
After your consultation, the after hours doctor will send a clinical report to your family GP, so if you need a follow up, your doctor will know when you were seen and the recommended treatments.
If you would like to learn more about after hours doctor services, contact us. We offer Dial a Doctor throughout the Perth area, and our team of medical professionals is available to answer any queries or questions.
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