'Retro docs' make big bucks, but medicine is about more than money

House calls to a sick little girl left me forever enriched

Today, house calls are available.

That is, if you are fortunate enough to live in Boston, Manhattan, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas or even in Phoenix.

Don't forget to have $250 to $450 when the doctor arrives. The companies who hire these hired hands or brains ask that they collect at the time of the call. There are some stipulations — don't request a call if the patient has chest pain, shortness of breath, serious trauma, or if they are unconscious. Don't expect that your ordinary medical plan will subsidize the cost of your call, unless you have a very expensive "Concierge Medical Plan."

Check your telephone book for Medical House Calls, My Home Doctor, or Sick Day Medical House Calls. These calls may save you hours of waiting in emergency rooms or urgent care offices. These offices may be found in pharmacies, airports and store fronts in retail stores.

If you call your doctor and the receptionist states that Dr. Busy is booked up for six weeks, you may wish to pay these money-grubbers their fee if necessary. Don't expect too much from them; most don't give follow-up calls, and some may notify your Dr. Busy what you have done.

In defense of their profit-seeking establishments, they may give you some samples and draw blood, and some of them have portable X-ray machines and even ultrasound equipment.

These doctors are known as Retro Doctors. That is, they make home calls usually within an hour, or they may even have one room in their homes set aside for patients. The big difference is they are instructed to seek pay at the time of the call. There is nothing retro about their collections. Their fees are high, but once in awhile they may be worth it.

Let me recall for you a retro weekend while in general practice 50-plus years ago. I had 41 calls and my wallet wasn't loaded. This was when I was ready to make a change. This was soon after taking over a practice in Goldendale.

One of my first home calls came from Marie, who had a six-week old 'blue baby.' She was nervous about saddling a new, young doctor with their serious medical problems. When I met them and saw how Marie cared for her baby, I decided I would do everything within my command to care for this cute little 'blue baby.'

I probably made on average one home call a week for about three years. Each time I made a home call, Marie would pay me three to five dollars and say "thank you." Jarene had a 6-year-old big brother who would always watch. We became well-acquainted, and one day she said that big brother was going to become a preacher.

Months later, during a home call, Marie said that Roger had decided to become a doctor instead of a preacher. Why the switch?, I asked. Marie said that I got paid after each visit and preachers only got paid on Sunday. I congratulated him for his choice.

In 1953 the surgical mecca for pediatric heart surgery was in Baltimore. Marie, her family and I talked it over and made arrangements for mother and daughter to fly back. The local residents raised money for Marie and Jarene to fly back to Baltimore.

A week before their appointment, Marie called and said she couldn't assume the responsibility unless I went along. Marie said she had spent her life in either Oregon and Washington, and had never been on an airplane. She told me she would cancel her appointment unless I went with them. The people in Goldendale raised more money so I could go with them.

I stayed in Baltimore for about a week. Jarene had her surgery and was doing well, so I returned home. Jarene did well until it was decided to do a tonsillectomy on her. We had moved to New Orleans by then and my successor thought it best for Jarene, but she didn't wake up after the anesthetic. All of us were deflated.

Update: In June of this year Marie heard that I was in the hospital, so she wrote me a letter. She thanked Elsie and our family for moving to Goldendale and taking care of her 'blue baby,' and she reminded me of some favors we had done for their family. I had forgotten them, but they were alive and well in her memory for more than 50 years.

Thank you, Marie, for your kind and long remembered thoughts. That would have been pay enough. Sometimes it is hard to be a doctor. Doctors get paid in more ways than hard cash.

Dr. Jack Leary of Lodi is a retired orthopedic surgeon.