The house call: an important service for the frail elderly.

There are many advantages in the performance of house calls by physicians for home bound, frail elderly patients: a needed service is provided; assessment of the "non-medical" aspects important in geriatric health care is readily accomplished; physician-patient relations will improve; the role of the physician as advisor and educator is emphasized; deep gratification to the physician results; and the physician will have better working relationships with other health professionals providing home services. House calls should be part of the curriculum of training programs. More house calls are advocated in order to provide quality care for the frail elderly and to offer them an option to institutionalization.