Doctors making house calls in old-time Phoenix


I've never experienced a doctor making a house call. I've seen it in movies, read about it in books, but that's all. It's really hard for me to imagine, but I'm gonna try now, by traveling back to old-time Phoenix in my imagination.

First of all, let's consider what my latest visit to my doctor was like. It was just a checkup, and I felt fine, but it wouldn't be something that I would want to do if I wasn't in top health. It required me to go to a building, fill out forms, and sit in a waiting room. I mostly find the whole experience just dull, and a little annoying, like waiting at the DMV, but it only takes a couple of hours of my time, and I understand how valuable a doctor's time is, and how valueless my time is by comparison. I sometimes feel kinda sorry for my doctor, who just has an endless assembly line of people to see one after another. She's in those tiny rooms all day long, with only a lunch break to relieve the monotony. I appreciate doctors, and there's no way in the world that I would be interested in being one, there isn't enough money in the world!

In old movies, doctors would get in their car, or their carriage, and go to a sick person's house. It was considered part of the job to do so, even late at night, when people needed help. A doctor would carry along a little bag, and presumably be met by someone at the door with a concerned look.

The patient would be in bed, and wouldn't be asked to fill out forms, or if they had their medical card handy. If there was some kind of delay, the patient wouldn't be asked to sit in a waiting room, they would be comfortable at home. Sounds kinda nice, doesn't it?

It was, of course, very hard on the doctors, and it made it difficult for them to attend to the quantity of patients that my doctor can, in her "assembly line" world. If you've ever had a job that required you to travel around, you know that a LOT of time is chewed up that way. Even in old-time Phoenix, without traffic, it would take time to get to someone's house. Horses and carriages traveled at about four miles an hour, and while cars were faster, it could be difficult to find an address before the days of cell phones and GPS.

My recent checkup, which just to make sure that I was still pretty much the same, and to make sure that my meds were still current (I take meds for cholesterol and high blood pressure, which most people over fifty do) took, at the most ten minutes of the doctor's time, and she was able to go help other people. I like that. I was up at five, and got home at about nine, but like I say, my time isn't as valuable as a doctor's. Besides, I spent a good chunk of that time, after my appointment, eating a delicious breakfast at Ollie's.

I really don't mind the inconvenience of going to the doctor, I understand, I just wouldn't want to do it if I wasn't feeling well.
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