Medica Jadertina, Vol. 38 No. 3-4, 2008.
Professional paper
The role, characteristics and justification of home visits in the work of family medicine doctors who practice in rural Croatia
Ljiljanka Jurković
; Health station Dugave, Zagreb
Đurđica Lazić
; University Zagreb, Medical faculty
Željko Dodig
; Ambulance for family medicine Bošnjaci
Ivanka Madunić-Majnarić
; Ambulance for family medicine Kloštar Ivanić
Nives Đanić
; Ambulance for family medicine Virje
Diana Kralj
; Ambulance for family medicine Draganići
Zdenka Barišić-Marčac
; Ambulance for family medicine Generalski Stol
Abstract
Home visits (HVs) represent an essential characteristic of Family Medicine practice (FMP). In fact, patient management outside healthcare facility accounts for the fundamental difference between hospital and Family Medicine practice. During the course of a home visit, the physician and the patient get into an immediate contact. The rise in prevalence of chronic diseases and the reduction of functional capabilities encountered in some population segments due to aging, impose a steadily increasing need for homecare and home treatment.
This study aims at analysing the frequency, role and characteristics of all patient HVs made by five FMPs in rural areas. Further on, this study aims to describe the characteristics and justify HVs and analyse
the common diseases treated by five MFCs.
Surgery treatment data and HVs data were completed from the five FMPs’ monthly reports which were also sent to the Croatian Health Insurance Company. The data on age, gender and HVs, and morbidity rate were collected from the HV evidence book. Moreover, after performing HVs two FMPs estimated and evaluated the justification of the HV, which was registered in the HV register. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistical methods, and displayed both numerically and graphically.
Out of 58,995 outpatient visits, the FMPs in reference made a total of 1,970 HVs (3.3%), most frequently conducted among elderly patients (85.4% of all visits) and women (65.2% of all visits). The most
common reasons for these HVs were cardiovascular and locomotive conditions and neoplasmas. Two FMPs concluded that 49.4% HVs were unjustified by one doctor and 18.8% by the second one.
Despite the trends towards the decrease in number of HVs, highlighted by statistical reports, FMPs provide those services in line with the pertinent standard established by the Croatian Institute of Health Insurance, suggesting that HVs still represent an important aspect of FM practice.
Keywords
General practitioner; home visits
Hrčak ID:
29500
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2008.
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