During your physical exam, a doctor will ask you a wide range of questions to assess your overall health. You can also use this time to share any questions or concerns you have about your health and ask about any steps you can take to meet your health goals.
A physical exam is a routine evaluation of your overall health. It is typically offered annually, and the recommended tests change based on age. It involves physical assessments, tests, and screenings.
Getting a regular physical exam has several benefits, including:
- serving as a regular check-in for your general health
- acting as a preventive measure by identifying any underlying conditions
- allowing you to take an active role in your healthcare
During your physical exam, it’s important to be open with the doctor and answer any questions they ask honestly. This can help ensure you receive the most effective treatment options.
During a physical exam, a doctor will typically begin by asking questions to assess different areas of your health. This includes:
Medical history
- Are you currently taking any medications or supplements?
- Do you have any allergies?
- Do you have any health conditions?
- Have you had any surgeries or medical procedures recently?
- Do you have a family history of any health conditions?
Current health status
- Have you noticed any recent changes in your health?
- Have you noticed any changes in your mood?
- Have you been experiencing any pain or discomfort?
- Do you have any health concerns?
- What are your health goals?
Lifestyle
- How frequently do you exercise?
- Do you drink alcohol, and if so, how many drinks would you say you have per week?
- Have you taken drugs other than those needed for medical purposes?
- Do you currently smoke?
- How many hours of sleep do you get each night?
- What is your diet like?
- What are your stress levels like, and how do you manage your stress?
Vaccinations
- Have you ever had a reaction to a vaccination in the past?
- Do you have any questions about vaccinations?
- Have you had any vaccinations outside of a healthcare setting?
During your physical exam, you will have time to ask questions and share any health concerns you may have.
Questions you may want to ask during a physical exam include:
- Am I at a higher risk for any health conditions due to my family history?
- Are there specific screenings that I should be getting at my age?
- Are there any changes I can make to my lifestyle to improve my health or move closer to my health goals?
- Do I need any screenings or vaccinations?
- Am I displaying any signs or symptoms that I should be concerned about?
- Would I benefit from any changes to my medication/s?
It can also be helpful to ask if you should schedule your next physical exam sooner than in a year’s time, before you leave.
How can you advocate for more tests or screenings during a physical exam?
If you have specific health concerns and don’t feel as though the examinations or tests given during your physical have addressed this, doing the following may help:
- clearly share your health concerns and explain why you believe a certain test or screening may be helpful
- ask the doctor to expand on why they believe these tests are not needed
- ask for clarification if anything is unclear or if you would benefit from more details
Remember,
There are several steps you can take to
- take time to think about any questions or concerns you have about your health
- ask for any needed accommodations, such as a language interpreter or mobility support
- gather your medical information, such as a list of your current medications and your health insurance
- understand your medical history and whether you have any risk factors for certain conditions
- follow any instructions needed for certain tests, such as fasting on the day of your exam
- fill out any needed paperwork beforehand
It can be helpful to wear loose-fitting, simple-to-remove clothing to make it easier for the doctor to examine you.
A physical exam is a routine evaluation of your overall health. It has several benefits, including:
- serving as a regular check-in for your general health
- acting as a preventive measure by identifying any underlying conditions
- allowing you to take an active role in your healthcare
During your physical exam, a doctor will ask you a wide range of questions to assess your overall health.
You can also use this time to share any questions or concerns you have about your health and ask about any steps you can take to meet your health goals.