Q. How can a patient maximize their annual check-up to help their overall health?
A. The well visit is one of the most powerful tools patients have. This is the time you can take charge and ask questions to improve your health outcomes down the road.
The doctor’s office will often call patients ahead of the visit and gather information to save time in the waiting room. It makes sense to take advantage of that, so you can focus on preparing to speak with your doctor, not filling out forms. Often, the doctor will ask the patient to get blood work done before, during, or after the appointment. This helps catch any potential concerns.
The scope of the well visit includes an entire physical exam, including making sure the patient is up to date on their immunizations and checking in on their mental health. When the medical assistant comes in to get you settled and take your vitals, it’s crucial that you share any updates about your health. Even if it seems small, like you’ve started snoring or your libido has gone down, any change should be mentioned. You never know what is normal and what can be a symptom of a bigger problem. Think about a well visit as playing offense rather than defense, just waiting to get sick before seeking care. There are many silent killers, like diabetes and high blood pressure, that can be discovered or even prevented through a well visit.
