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Dr. Sam Kim works for Heal, a Los Angeles-based start-up that allows patients in several California counties to order doctor house calls through a smartphone app. Similar companies exist in other parts of the country, including Pager in New York City and Mend in Dallas. Health advocates generally support using technology to make medical care more convenient. As these companies grow, however, some question the return of the house call. A century ago, most medical visits were in the patient's home. But cities got bigger and doctors began using more equipment, therefore it made sense for them to not travel more than 10 steps from patient room to patient room. (Karlamangla, 3/19)

A rapidly expanding medical program for low-income first-time mothers combines social services with the latest in brain science. The Nurse-Family Partnership provides in-home advice on health and parenting, which can lead to improved cognitive development and language skills for their children, who are showing up to school better prepared for learning. Special correspondent Cat Wise reports. (3/18)

Kevin Ochoa’s family is getting unusual help in answering a vexing riddle: Why is he having so much trouble breathing? The Des Moines sixth-grader suffers severe asthma attacks, which routinely send him to the hospital. The situation is frightening, painful and expensive. Last week, a team of experts came to his south-side home to help figure out if something there was triggering Kevin’s lung spasms. (Leys, 3/18)