[Home visits by family physicians of a primary care clinic--1986].

104 home visits carried out by family physicians in an insured population of 5324 covered by a family practice teaching clinic in Haifa were analyzed. The study included a 3-month period (March, July and December 1986). The rate of home visits was 0.08/person/year. 75% of the visits were to those over the age of 65. 25% of the visits were initiated by the physician, while 20% of visits initiated by the patients, their relatives or others were considered unjustified. However, not all visits initiated by physicians were considered justified. 35% of all visits were considered contributory to the general care of the patients.