What To Ask At Your Annual Physical
The annual physical is a standard visit that most people follow and is usually managed by a primary care provider (PCP). Many families might rely on one or two PCPs. For example, children under 18 might see a pediatrician, while adults might see a general practitioner or an internist. Physicals can be a great way to stay on top of a person’s general health or address concerns. Regardless of the reason, knowing what questions to ask, or if a visit would fall under an annual exam or a special appointment, can help people prepare for the appointment.
1. Wellness checks
The regular wellness check is the most common reason to have a physical. Frequency depends on a person’s age, as younger children have more intensive schedules than adults. For example, an infant sees a doctor roughly 7 times in the first 12 months, excluding follow-up visits for illnesses. In most cases, the schedule includes the first week after birth and then subsequent checkups at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. After the first year, children usually see a doctor 3 times, and then annually after age 2. For adults, the annual physical is performed once a year.
2. Vaccine schedules
Vaccines don’t always follow annual exam schedules. Sometimes scheduling vaccines during an annual wellness checkup isn’t possible. For example, flu shots are typically recommended just before the fall and winter months, when the virus is most active. Likewise for pediatric immunization schedules, the dosages aren’t limited to an annual exam. Most physicians will provide immunization schedules at the request of caregivers and often remind parents of when upcoming shots or boosters are recommended. When in doubt, work directly with pediatricians or PCPs to avoid immunity lapses.
3. Disease and illness management
In addition to physicals and immunizations, some people have preexisting medical conditions that require monitoring. For example, a person with a chronic illness like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, or even thyroid dysfunction should meet with a physician more frequently. While sometimes PCPs can provide such care, other people might need to connect with a specialist. With these routine visits, patients may undergo diagnostic testing, have medication levels checked, or even have dosages adjusted depending on test results.
4. Seeking a referral
Whether because of a new diagnosis or the realization that a PCP can’t provide the type of managed care a patient may need, sometimes a doctor’s visit might be scheduled just to confirm that seeing a specialist is best. Depending on some people’s insurance plans, specialist coverage, even if partial with a co-pay, requires a referral. A referral simply means that a PCP acknowledges that a patient needs more specialized care and is better off being seen by a more targeted healthcare provider.
How to plan for a visit
Most PCP visits aren’t long with doctors often spending only 10 to 15 minutes with a patient. Patients are urged to come prepared by understanding the purpose of the visit. If the appointment is the first time meeting with a doctor, be ready with insurance cards, family history or even pre-approval for transferring medical records from the previous provider. For referral requests or condition management visits, do some research beforehand, addressing any potential questions about the illness or medications in question.
