App enables patients to place house calls on demand

Pager is letting New Yorkers call a doctor of their choice to their home at any time through their smartphone.

Mobile apps have already enabled businesses such as retailers and banks to let their customers take advantage of services at times when physical branches are closed, and the healthcare industry is now moving to 24/7 models. We recently wrote about Talkspace, the unlimited and anytime therapy texting platform, and now Pager is letting New Yorkers call a doctor of their choice to their home at any time through their smartphone.

The free app, which is available on the App Store, is designed to offer an alternative to a GP visit and is suitable for a variety of non-emergency illnesses, chronic conditions or injuries. Users can browse the roster of board-certified health professionals, which can be sorted by proximity or specialism. When a doctor is chosen, a same-day appointment and payment can be arranged through the app. House visits typically cost around USD 300 for the privilege, and the service is currently limited to Manhattan. Calls can be made on weekday evenings and all day weekends, right up to midnight, although the Pager team is working on making it 24/7.

Are there other services that could be brought to the door on demand in this way?