Emory Geriatric Medicine Clinic’s Domiciliary Care Program

khurram-khan

Khan Khurram, MD

Although the “house call” approach might seem old-fashioned at first glance, Khurram Khan, MD says it’s actually right in line with Emory’s 21st century medical goals – to provide high quality, high value, team-based patient care.  Dr. Khan has been making house calls to elderly patients since his residency days and now, as Director of Emory Geriatric Medicine Clinic’s Domiciliary Care Program, he leads a team that provides wellness checks and routine acute care for patients in 13 assisted living programs in the metro Atlanta area. The Domiciliary Care Program’s purpose is to provide care for a high risk, but often overlooked population – seniors who lack easy access to primary care because they cannot drive or have other significant barriers to making, and keeping, appointments with a primary care provider.

In addition to Dr. Khan, the Domiciliary Care Program includes 2 nurse practitioners, 1 nurse, and 1 medical assistant. On a typical day, one of them will visit a particular assisted living facility and see 8-12 patients.  A typical visit will include all the services one would expect with a clinic visit such as taking a careful history and performing physical exams. Providers can also arrange for labs, x-rays, EKG, and some ultrasound tests.  The idea is to help these frail patients avoid ER or urgent care visits by providing basic preventive and primary care.  At some locations, Dr. Khan and his team also engage in providing education for staff about geriatric care from the Emory providers.

Dr. Khan’s plans for the future include establishing Emory’s program as a regional and national model for domiciliary care. “The more frail seniors we can keep out of the ER, the better,” he says. “The families and patients are appreciative and we’re helping this high risk population stay healthier.”

Emory’s Domiciliary Care Program Team

  • Khurram Khan, MD, Medical Director
  • Evon Wattkis, APRN – nurse practitioner
  •  Karolina Graber, APRN – nurse practitioner
  • Sundra Blanchard, LPN – nurse in-charge
  • Niah Boykin, MA – medical assistant

Related Links

If you are interested in investing in research, clinical care, and/or education within the Emory University School of Medicine’s Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics, learn how you can help.

 

About the Author

Emory Department of Medicine
The Department of Medicine, part of Emory University's School of Medicine, promotes excellence in education, patient care, and clinical and basic research.

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