You don’t have to be sick to visit your doctor! Take care of your health and make an appointment with your primary care physician for a healthy check-up. A well visit allows you and your doctor to discuss important topics like family history and preventive health services that are appropriate for you, such as vaccines (or boosters), mammography, colonoscopy, or a prostate exam. These are among many services that help you to stay well. They provide an opportunity to find problems before they start or in their earliest stages when your chances for treatment and cure are better. By taking responsibility of your health you are creating the best opportunity for a long and healthy life, with many quality years yet to come.
Your actions each day – physical activity, eating habits, sleep, lifestyle, whether you smoke – coupled with your age and family history impact your health. It’s important for your doctor to know these details so he/she can recommend the preventive health services that will be most beneficial to you, provide referrals to specialists, and make adjustments to your medication.
An advantage of seeing your doctor on a regular basis for well visits is that it allows you to get to know your doctor and to develop an open and trusting relationship. Making an appointment once every couple of years for a prescription or antibiotic does not facilitate this relationship well. If you do not like or trust your current doctor, don’t be afraid to shop around. Ask friends and family members who they like and why and consider making a new appointment. You can also ask your Plant Nurse to connect you with a physician who accepts your insurance plan and is taking new patients. When you REALLY need a doctor, you want to be able to call someone who knows you and who will provide you with the highest quality of care and attention.
Another advantage to well visits is the chance to stay well! This type of appointment helps to prevent you from getting sick in the first place. An hour out of your day for a well-visit is significantly less than the time you could lose being sick.
There are a few things to do before your next well visit:
Review your family history – Know the diseases or conditions that have occurred among close relatives, most importantly your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and sometimes your children. A family history can affect your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Knowing this information, your doctor can assess your risk and recommend preventive measures to decrease your risk. Consider filling out this useful tool and share it with your doctor: My Family Health Portrait.
Find out if you are due for any screenings or vaccinations – There are many screening tools available depending on your age, family history, lifestyle, and overall health. Check with your doctor to see if it’s time for any of them (i.e. tetanus shot, Pap test, eye check, etc.)
Make a list of questions and concerns – It can be easy to forget your mental list of questions once you are in the exam room. Write down your questions and concerns beforehand to help you remember what you need to discuss. Make note of any changes to existing health problems and also changes to your lifestyle. Be honest with your doctor so he/she can provide the appropriate care and recommendations.
Think about your future – If you plan to quit smoking, start a weight loss program, or another big change, discuss your options with your health care provider.
Bring your most recent lab results – After participating each year in the annual health assessments, the HealthNEXT team recommends bringing a copy of your lab results to your family physician. This is a great opportunity for additional follow-up on any abnormal results and to keep your file updated with accurate medical records.
Take action today to stay healthy! Make the well-visit appointment you have been putting off and take advantage of the opportunity to prevent health problems before they happen.
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