DOC Service: Doctor Home Visits, Official Sick Leave, and a Free Vitamin C Boost

According to the World Health Organization, between 250,000 and 500,000 people worldwide die annually from complications related to the flu and acute respiratory infections. One in ten cases of improperly treated common colds develops into bronchitis, and one in twenty leads to pneumonia. Persistent runny noses and coughs lasting weeks should no longer be taken lightly. This article highlights warning symptoms signaling the need for a specialist’s examination and introduces the DOC service, which allows you to call a doctor without exhausting your energy or nerves.

Statements like "I finished my report with a 100.4°F fever!" or "I held meetings despite having tonsillitis!" are all too common. Unfortunately, no awards recognize "Performing duties while nearly unconscious," and reckless perseverance often results in chronic sinusitis, otitis, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, viral conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal issues, and nervous system disorders. A poorly treated cold can later manifest as fatigue, apathy, and irritability.

In the best-case scenario, these complications mean weeks of sick leave. The worst-case outcomes were mentioned earlier.

For example, a friend developed chronic sinusitis by going to work daily despite only breathing through his mouth. When he finally sought medical help, antibiotics were necessary, but now even slight chills trigger a relapse.

If you want to maintain your health and productivity, remember this simple rule: if you feel ill, go home and rest. You will be less attentive, prone to mistakes, and risk infecting coworkers. Often, a couple of days in bed with plenty of fluids is enough to overcome a cold.

However, certain symptoms require immediate medical attention to prevent complications:

• High fever (above 100.4°F) lasting three days or more;
• Severe sore throat;
• Persistent dry, harsh cough or cough with mucus;
• Chest pain or discomfort when breathing;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Ear congestion;
• Headaches;
• Skin rash.

Reflecting on my own habits, I realize I often neglect self-care. Even with these symptoms, I might spend a week taking advertised powders and pills without consulting a doctor—like many around me. Here’s why.

Public clinics have long diminished my desire to seek treatment. Did you know that according to health ministry regulations, a home visit by a doctor is limited to 12 minutes? Within that brief time, a doctor manages to wash hands, perform a cursory examination, and prescribe standard treatment without delving into individual nuances. While excellent doctors exist in public clinics, strict limits and protocols restrict their effectiveness.

The real challenge arises when it’s time to close a sick leave. Scheduling a quick appointment involves phone calls, waiting in registration queues, discovering expired chest X-rays, undergoing new tests, and facing crowded waiting rooms where patients jostle for entry.

I often observe people practically "besieging" the doctor’s office door. I admit, I do the same—standing close with a stern expression that clearly says, "I will not let anyone cut in line." I glare suspiciously at anyone approaching, silently asking, "Are you trying to skip the queue?" It’s almost comical if it weren’t so disheartening.

My 86-year-old grandfather now exclusively uses private clinics. Though a retired colonel, he no longer participates in the "door battle." Moreover, public clinics often treat elderly patients superficially: "You came, that’s good enough; feeling bad is just your age!"

Private clinics offer perks like water coolers, comfy sofas, and aquariums to ease nerves during short waits. Yet, surprisingly, many doctors still rush, fail to explain conditions clearly, or decode test results. When I ask questions, I often feel like I’m wasting their time and annoying them.

At private appointments, I constantly worry about being overcharged or pushed into unnecessary tests. Prices for diagnostics are often undisclosed unless explicitly asked.

Once, I paid about $7 for a consultation. The doctor suggested an ultrasound in the same room, which I assumed was included. I was impressed by the convenience—until the bill doubled unexpectedly. I had to call my husband to transfer more funds. It was an unpleasant surprise.

This isn’t an isolated incident. To manage expenses, you must ask before every procedure whether it’s included or extra.

True professionals exist who provide clear explanations and justify costs, but they are rare.

That’s why I want to share about the innovative DOC home doctor call service. Their passion for healthcare is evident. I deeply appreciate physicians who genuinely want to understand my condition and explain it in simple terms, translating medical jargon. I want to know what’s happening with my body, rather than having to research medical websites after visits.

DOC specialists break down diagnoses clearly, helping patients feel reassured and fostering trust in doctors and their prescriptions.

This is especially vital for parents who panic when their child sneezes. Having a doctor nearby who explains everything calmly helps both child and parent avoid stress. Here’s a snippet from a grateful mother’s review on DOC’s Facebook group*:

I wanted to call an ENT because we already had a pediatrician visit, but they assured me the pediatrician could check my child’s ears. A young, very pleasant man arrived. He carefully examined the girls, palpated the abdomen, lymph nodes, checked skin, mouth, nose, eyes, measured pulse and blood oxygen, and listened to lungs and heart.

He noticed what the pediatrician missed two days ago: skin marbling and frequent ear touching. He recommended a heart ultrasound, which had already been done, and explained the results clearly. He also interpreted other pediatric ultrasounds and advised how to check for urinary salts before costly tests.

— Evgenia Pavlyuchenko

11 More Advantages of DOC Service

1. Available 24/7, including holidays, with fixed prices: $27 for a single visit or $40 for family visits up to five people. Many large private clinics won’t send doctors in the evenings or weekends.

2. For families with children, two doctors (a therapist and pediatrician) arrive for $40.

3. Calls are answered by medical students supervised by experienced doctors who can consult as needed. If symptoms are severe, they advise calling emergency services.

4. A doctor arrives within two hours—not hours or days later.

5. During the visit, the doctor can perform an ECG if needed; collect urine and blood samples at home thanks to DOC’s partnership with a reputable lab; and interpret existing test results.

6. The visit includes symptom relief such as pain reduction, blood pressure management, and inhalations.

7. Doctors issue official sick leave certificates, provide detailed treatment instructions, and refer for additional tests if necessary.

8. Closing sick leave is easy: just call the doctor again for a $13 fee; no clinic visits required.

9. Doctors spend as much time as needed to answer questions, write prescriptions clearly, and ensure understanding.

10. After the visit, you can call DOC for free consultations if questions arise.

11. At the end of the visit, the doctor offers a tasty and healthy signature vitamin C supplement!

Currently, DOC operates only in Moscow, but I hope it expands to other cities soon. Personally, I find such a service indispensable. Follow DOC’s Facebook page* to stay updated on their latest news.

Stay healthy, and if you fall ill, treat yourself promptly and properly!

DOC

*Meta Platforms Inc. and its social networks Facebook and Instagram are restricted in Russia.

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