The practice of physicians visiting patients in their homes, once a commonplace aspect of medical care, significantly declined throughout the 20th century. This shift represents a major transformation in how healthcare is delivered and accessed.
Several factors contributed to the decrease in domiciliary visits. The rise of specialized medicine and advanced diagnostic technologies necessitated centralized facilities. Hospital infrastructure and equipment availability made in-home examinations less practical. Additionally, increased urbanization, improved transportation, and evolving societal expectations altered patient preferences and physician workflows. Economic pressures, including reimbursement models favoring facility-based care, further disincentivized the traditional practice.