Annual Physical Exam (Checkups/Physicals)

Preventing an illness is much better than having to treat it. Getting regular health checkups is essential in the early detection and prevention of disease. A doctor or nurse practitioner can assist you in evaluating ingrained behaviors and habits and potential risk factors for various medical conditions. This will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases or health problems. At VNA Health Care, we recommend annual physical exams for patients of all ages.

Benefits of Periodic Health Checkups

A regular physical exam can offer you a number of benefits, such as:

• Identifying any serious or life-threatening concerns related to your health before they become a significant concern.
• Beginning treatment earlier after diagnosis, which improves the chances of a positive outcome.
• Monitoring vital signs at every visit can uncover otherwise undetected issues such as high blood pressure or low oxygen levels.
• Keeping up to date on laboratory examinations, screening tests, and vaccinations.
• Reducing additional healthcare costs and potential lost wages from serious or complicated conditions that are not detected and treated early.
• Visiting your primary care provider (PCP) regularly allows changes to your health to be more readily detected.
• Discovering new ways to live a long and healthy life.
• Improving overall health.

How should you prepare for your checkup or physical?

Before you and your family visit a VNA Health Care clinic for your annual physical examinations, you can prepare by taking a few steps:

• If you are visiting the doctor for the first time, make sure to gather all medical information prior to the visit, including family history, previous medical records, insurance cards, and vaccination history. Bring it all with you when you go to the appointment. If you don’t know your vaccination history, your doctor might ask you to get bloodwork done and order laboratory tests to check whether antibodies are present in your blood.
• If this is a repeat visit to the same physician, check what changes have occurred in your surgical or medical history since your last annual physical examination.
• Make an updated medication list that includes all supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter (OTC) medication, and herbal remedies. Bring any prescription bottles to make it easier to show the doctor.
• Create a list of any new allergies, symptoms, reactions to medications, or health concerns you have had since your last routine physical.
• Tell your physician if you have special needs, such as a wheelchair or interpreter, so that these services can be ready when you arrive.

Tips to Communicating with Your Physician

It is crucial to have honest and open communication with your doctor. This helps you actively participate in your health care and allows your physician to give the best possible care. Follow the steps outlined below for the best experience:

• Create a list of topics and questions you wish to discuss with your physician or medical professional. Organize them according to importance.
• After a thorough physical examination, ask questions and for clarification from your doctor if there is something you don’t understand or that you want more information about.
• Repeat what your provider told you to make sure you correctly understood everything discussed during your complete physical examination.
• Take notes on your provider’s recommendations for any medical conditions so you can refer to them later.
• Confirm your provider’s preferred method of follow-up (phone call or patient portal).
• If you have difficulty understanding something your provider says, tell them.
• If you don’t feel comfortable with your provider’s recommendation or treatment plan, let them know.
• Your provider is not allowed to share any of your information without your permission so you can speak freely about your medical history or current conditions. 

Visit VNA Health Care for Your Next Health Checkup

Your health and well-being are our top priority at VNA Health Care. Our facilities provide you and your family members with high-quality and affordable health care, regardless of whether you have insurance coverage. Scheduling a visit with one of VNA’s healthcare providers is easy. To learn more about our clinics or to book an appointment, call (630) 892-4355 today.