By Danielle Schipani

A physical exam is usually free to get when insured, great for preventative health and should absolutely be done once a year. In fact, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation 92% of U.S. residents say it is important to get an annual physical exam - yet only 62% report actually getting them!

So what’s the deal? Are regular check-ups really that important? The answer – yes of course!

Why are regular check-ups important?

One of the great benefits of a wellness exam is having the opportunity to pick up on problems before they become serious. Mark Ende, D.O., an internist at Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group explained, “Annual wellness exams are critical to the well-being of every patient. They give clinicians the unique opportunity to see what their patient’s lifestyle is like and to talk about how they are feeling physically and mentally.”

Dr. Ende pointed out that these conversations are important to have, and that these issues are not typically discussed when patients come in for a typical sick visit.

What are the most common things checked at a wellness visit?

Many practices are focused on early diagnosis of lipid abnormalities which could be a tell sign of cardiovascular disease or other heart conditions.

Diabetes can also be screened for during an annual physical. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 90 percent of patients don’t know they have prediabetes. “You need to know this early to get them on the right diet and the right lifestyle,” explained Dr. Ende.

Annual exams typically also check:

Weight

Blood pressure

Temperature

Head and neck exam

Lung sounds

Abdominal exam

Skin check

There is the opportunity to go through an individual’s familial medical history to determine if there are any hereditary concerns. “There are a whole bunch of preventative health interventions that are related to a person’s family history,” he says. “One of the most common ones is colon cancer, there is a very strong generic component there and it’s important to know this early so colonoscopies can be scheduled.”

How can a patient prepare for a wellness appointment?

Preparation is key when coming to an internist or primary care clinician. Here are a few things you show have handy:

Family health history

List of all medications and supplements with dosage

Names of doctors and other members of your healthcare team

Immunization records

Name and location of your current pharmacy

Any medical or smart health equipment you are currently using

In general, some of the misperception of a wellness exam is that people don’t know what to expect. “Setting expectations is important for the support staff. Patients should be encouraged to research what a wellness visit is,” says Dr. Ende.

When it comes to a wellness exam, honesty is the best policy. “Overall the most important thing is to be honest and up front about your health with your clinician,” says Dr. Ende.

Next Steps & Resources:

Meet our clinical contributor: Mark Ende, D.O.

To make an appointment with Dr. Ende, or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.