A doctor that moves in you

Photo Jean-François Desgagnés
Dr. Pierre Renard uses a Ford hybrid for visiting his clients. “It allows me to be less dirty the planet with my travel, because I’m likely to do a lot,” he said.

Martin Lavoie

Sunday, January 7, 2018 00:00

UPDATE
Sunday, January 7, 2018 00:00

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Like in the good old days, a doctor, in private practice, now offers its in-home services to the residents of Québec and Lévis.

“It is difficult to leave your home when it is dammed back or that it is -30°C outside. And rather than waiting for emergencies, is expected at home, ” says Peter Fox, who launched the activities of Doctor At Home Québec-Lévis (québec), Monday (www.docteuradomicile.net).

Dr. Fox began the practice of medicine in his native France in 2000. He worked for SOS Doctors, who specializes in home visits. Established in Quebec since 2010, he practiced at Three Rivers since 2011 before deciding to settle in the Quebec city area to start his project.

“I can’t understand that one can be delivered of drugs, or a pizza, but the doctor does not come to the house. This is the minimum service to be provided to the public. I have seen people who do not have the time to go to the doctor or wait in the emergency room and cough worsened to become pneumonia, ” remarked Mr. Fox who had the time to see the delay as the Quebec concedes to France in terms of in-home services.

“Some people may not be absent from work. It only takes a closed room to view. It can also happen to the hotel, ” the doctor adds.

Costs

Dr. Fox assesses need approximately 15 patients per week for the project to be viable. It will offer consultations Monday to Thursday from 8 h to 18 h, but would like to attract other doctors to operate seven days per week.

The services are available to all, but are not covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Rates for consultation start at $260 a year.

“The doctors who do the in-home service in Quebec earn less than those who are of the office. They see fewer patients because of the time spent travelling and of the cases which are sometimes more heavy “, he says.

It is even equipped with an ecg portable that he bought in France, the product does not exist in North America.

Another example

At least one other doctor offers a home delivery service in the Québec city region. It is the company DomicileMed, whose services are covered by the RAMQ. However, it only applies to people in loss of autonomy and no longer takes new customers.