Why You Might Be Able To Skip That Annual Physical
(CBS4) - Nearly two out of three of us make an annual trek to the doctor's office to get our "yearly checkup." Yet more and more physicians are saying that that ritual going over is outdated -- antiquated -- and a waste of time and money.
In fact, the new thinking is that a checkup should be more of a "check-in," with more chatting than poking. In other words a physical that is not very physical.
The main reason is that many routine exams usually don't discover much in terms of diseases, and in some cases, pick up problems that really aren't problems. Plus, there is new thinking on just how often a screening test needs to be done to detect disease. One good example is the Pap smear. That used to be an every year test -- but now, for most women over age 21, the exam can be done every 3 years or so.
Now that's not to say that a routine checkup isn't a good idea, it just maybe doesn't need to be every single year. The AMA recommends that healthy adults between the ages 18-40 have a physical every 5 years. For those over age 40, it's every 3 years. Obviously, if you have health issues, you need to see your doc more often, but even then, you still may not need the million dollar going-over.
The main things we like to know about you include your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight. Depending on who you are, routine tests such as mammograms and colonoscopies may be recommended. We usually will check your blood sugar, vitamin D levels, and so forth. On the other hand, tests such an EKG or a chest X-ray are rarely done routinely if you're healthy and without risk factors.
Yet the most important part of the exam is getting you to open your mouth, and I don't mean to say "Ahh."
We want you to talk to us about subjects such as your:
- Diet
- Sleep Patterns
- Mood
- Exercise
- Tobacco Use
- Alcohol Use
- Supplements and Vitamins
- Sex Life
- Vaccinations
- Routine Lifestyle Habits, such as sunscreen use
Plus, what you can do for yourself, such as a regular self-exam of the skin.
Finally, answer any questions you may have about your health.
All in all, what we are really trying to build here is a relationship. And that may mean more talk than action.
Certainly, if you have concerns or worries, we need to know about them. Plus, we would like to be able to put a face with a name if you ever need to come in for something else, say, a nasty cold.
So sure, we would love to have you come on in and get a look-see. But it's important to understand that the routine physical is not a one-size-fits-all. You may not get the same checkup that your neighbor did. We may need to see you more often than you'd like. Then again, a little less may not be so bad, either.
Bottom line, like everything else in the world, medicine is changing, too. We don't do things like we used to, and that may be to your benefit.
Dr. Dave Hnida is CBS4's Medical Editor. He blogs about the latest studies and trends in the health world. Read his latest blog entries, check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @drdavehnida
