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Medical Forum / General / General / August 2006

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Annual physical - what should be included??

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adc31555@yahoo.com - 14 Aug 2006 20:24 GMT
I am a normal, healthy 29 year old guy.  Last year, I had a "yearly
health physical" by my primary care physican.  At the time, it was
the first time I had been to the doctor in over 4 years.  I was
somewhat surprised by the quickness and lack of completeness of the
exam.  The doctor checked my blood pressure, listened to my heart,
asked me a few health questions, and looked into my ears and eyes.  I
also had some bloodwork done and reviewed after the exam.  I was fully
clothed the entire time.  I would have at least expected a quick check
of my lymph notes and a quick check of my testicules (although I
wasn't looking forward to that).

I'm curious if this is the standard, typical yearly physical for a
healthy male of my age.  If not, what should have been included?

Thanks!
Howard McCollister - 14 Aug 2006 20:32 GMT
>I am a normal, healthy 29 year old guy.  Last year, I had a "yearly
> health physical" by my primary care physican.  At the time, it was
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thanks!

29 year-olds tend to be pretty healthy, and the medical history you gave
mave have substantially guided the doctor's approach, but I agree, the exam
does seem a little perfunctory.

HMc
Robert1 - 14 Aug 2006 20:54 GMT
> I am a normal, healthy 29 year old guy.  Last year, I had a "yearly
> health physical" by my primary care physican.  At the time, it was
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thanks!

Recommendations change including how often to have a physical. The
yearly physical is no more for young healthy people and every five
years is now recommended with negative histories. How often and what is
included is dependent on your history, age and sex. Having annual
cholesterol testing or pap smear is not a physical per say.
David Rind - 15 Aug 2006 02:54 GMT
> I am a normal, healthy 29 year old guy.  Last year, I had a "yearly
> health physical" by my primary care physican.  At the time, it was
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thanks!

A health 29-year-old man going in for a screening physical should have
his blood pressure checked. There's little or no evidence for doing
anything else for screening. The US Preventive Services Task Force
specifically recommends against screening for testicular cancer.

A lot of doctors do more, but without any evidence to support it. Most
doctors would do a more complete exam the first time they meet a
patient, just so that they have a baseline exam. And, many insurance
payors will pay more for a more complete exam, so doctors will do such
an exam.

Signature

David Rind
drind@caregroup.harvard.edu

adc31555@yahoo.com - 16 Aug 2006 15:09 GMT
That is surprising and a bit frightening.

> A health 29-year-old man going in for a screening physical should have
> his blood pressure checked. There's little or no evidence for doing
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> payors will pay more for a more complete exam, so doctors will do such
> an exam.
joni - 16 Aug 2006 16:39 GMT
> That is surprising and a bit frightening.

More so is that most insurance companies do not cover a yearly exam.
Unfortunately, they are in the sickness business, not the wellness
business.

joanne
 
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