We’ve all heard that we should see our primary care doctor annually to get a comprehensive checkup. But not all of us do it—i.e. Why see a doctor if there’s nothing to complain about?—even though most health insurance policies cover an annual physical free of charge.
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The medical community is even divided on whether there’s a benefit to getting an annual exam. Some research has shown that physicals don’t reduce illness, mortality rates or hospital visits; are a waste of health-care resources; and could even do more harm than good—for instance, when fast positives result in unnecessary testing or medications.
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But other experts say that a yearly checkup is an important part of building a physician-patient relationship and can lead to unexpected diagnoses.
Some individual internists and primary-care doctors strike a balance and advise that healthy adults see a physician about every three years, and the visit should focus more on relationship-building and less on random blood and urine tests. It’s the idea that a doctor who knows a patient well will be able to detect health problems that another doctor may overlook.
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We here a ForMen think it’s best to see your doctor on a regular basis. Not only is it important to establish a baseline when you’re healthy, but it’s always good to have a physician you know and trust before you get sick.
Curated article from:
Wall Street Journal
