1.
home healthcare — medical care provided to patients at their own home, by visiting doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals
Medical care delivered at a patient's home rather than in a hospital or clinic, typically through scheduled visits by doctors (往診) and nurses (訪問看護). Especially important for elderly people with chronic illnesses, patients recovering after discharge, and terminal patients receiving palliative care.
在宅医療を受ける。
To receive home medical care.
高齢の両親のために在宅医療を選んだ。
We chose home healthcare for our elderly parents.
地域の在宅医療の体制が整ってきた。
The home healthcare system in the local area has been improving.
在宅医療では、医師と看護師が定期的に患者の家を訪問する。
In home healthcare, doctors and nurses regularly visit patients at their homes.
Compound of 在宅 ('being at home') and 医療 ('medical care').
USAGE:
- Refers to a care model in which medical professionals visit patients at home, as opposed to the patient going to a hospital or clinic.
- A key concept in Japan's aging-society healthcare policy; closely tied to 地域包括ケア ('community-based integrated care').
- Distinct from 在宅介護 ('home care/nursing'), which focuses on daily-living assistance rather than medical treatment, though the two are often combined in practice.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 在宅医療を受ける: to receive home medical care
- 在宅医療を提供する: to provide home medical care
- 在宅医療制度: the home healthcare system
- 在宅医療に切り替える: to switch to home healthcare
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 往診: house call (by a doctor) — a component of 在宅医療; a single visit rather than an ongoing model of care.
- 訪問看護: visiting nursing — a related nursing service; also often part of 在宅医療.
- 在宅介護: home care, home nursing care — focuses on daily-living support (bathing, feeding, etc.) rather than medical treatment.
- 通院: going to a hospital/clinic for treatment — the usual contrast.