{"id":8292,"date":"2020-01-23T09:00:36","date_gmt":"2020-01-23T14:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=8292"},"modified":"2025-05-28T11:37:29","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T15:37:29","slug":"ask-a-doctor-annual-physical-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ask-a-doctor-annual-physical-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"Questions to ask your doctor at your annual checkup"},"content":{"rendered":"

The physical. The annual checkup. The yearly exam. This routine visit with your healthcare provider goes by many names\u2014and all of them can invoke a sense of dread. Many people avoid booking appointments every year because they\u2019re too busy, don\u2019t have anything wrong, or aren\u2019t sure what to <\/span>ask a doctor<\/span><\/a>. But everyone should get an annual physical exam, even healthy people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Think of these appointments as \u201ctune ups\u201d for your body. \u201c[They] give the patient time to speak with their physician, vocalize any concerns they may have regarding their health, and set and check in on health goals,\u201d says Gabrielle Samuels, DO, a physician at <\/span>Atlantic Medical Group<\/span> in New Jersey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

8 questions to ask a doctor at a checkup<\/b><\/h2>\n

At a loss for what to ask? These basic ones might help get you started, and make you realize your yearly visit is more valuable than you thought:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Is this normal?<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Do I need any additional screenings or tests?<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Do I need to see a specialist?<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Do I need any immunizations?<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Are my prescriptions still OK?<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. How concerned should I be?<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. What can I do to stay healthy in the future?<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. When should I come back for another visit?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Just make sure you\u2019ve written down your questions before you head to your appointment. We\u2019ve all walked into an exam room and had our minds go blank. It\u2019s easy to forget what you wanted to say once you\u2019re sitting on the table, so having a list to refer to will keep you on track.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    When you\u2019re at your appointment, write down anything you\u2019ll need to remember later, such as vitamin recommendations or follow up appointment dates.<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. Is this normal?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Your annual physical exam is your chance to find out if that new symptom is something you should worry about, or just a regular part of your age or lifestyle\u2014whether it\u2019s a mole, new anxious feelings, or a change in your sleep patterns. Your healthcare provider will do an exam to measure basic vital signs: height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. Then ask additional questions to find out what other factors might be influencing your health, such as: your medical history, family medical history, your lifestyle and habits, personal stresses, and your drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. Your answers can help inform if the nagging health issue is something to worry about, or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cPatients should expect time with their physician to discuss their overall health and wellness including recent illness since their last visit, diet\/exercise habits, and preventative measures such as vaccines and screening examinations,\u201d says Dr. Samuels<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    It\u2019s a time for you to update your medical record and contact information, and to refill prescriptions, according to Natalie Ikeman<\/a>, a physician\u2019s assistant at Bhatti Weight Loss Center in Minnesota.<\/span>\u00a0This appointment is a chance to update info on both sides of the exam table. \u201cIt gives the physician the opportunity to share updated guidelines with their patient,\u201d Dr. Samuels says.<\/span><\/p>\n

    2. Do I need any additional screening tests?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    A physical examination is a chance for your healthcare provider to examine you, run some laboratory tests, answer questions, and generally make sure everything is in working order. Annual physical exams can catch problems that are just starting before they progress, or that a patient may not be aware of while there\u2019s still time for preventive services. \u201cUnfortunately the three most common chronic conditions we see are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, [and] diabetes, and most have no symptoms so people think they are fine,\u201d says Jeffrey Gold, MD, primary care provider at <\/span>Gold Direct Care<\/span><\/a> in Massachusetts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Your healthcare provider may order additional blood tests or screenings based on age and risk factors for certain conditions. \u201cDepending on age, sex, chronic illness, and recently completed labs, a clinician may order the following tests,\u201d says Ikeman:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n