Haven’t had a physical exam in a while? Or maybe you only see a doctor when you are sick or have a minor injury? Make the time to schedule a physical (checkup) with a primary care physician. It should take 30 minutes or less to complete.
Physical exams are a great way to establish a relationship with your primary care doctor. The exam is intended to focus on the preventive care that you need, catch up on immunizations, get any necessary cancer screenings and identify health issues before they get worse. Depending on your age and gender, the physical exam will have different components. In general, the exam will obtain your vital signs, ask questions about any concerns or symptoms you may have, obtain a family history of health conditions, order any necessary tests, and do a medical exam that reviews the various systems in your body. This is a good opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your health, including your mental health. Your primary care doctor will be able to tell you how often you should follow up with him or her, how often you should have physical exams, and if any referrals to specialists are needed.
See the attached flyer for ways to find a primary care physician if you don’t already have one.
