Why is a Yearly Exam Important?

woman health care provider writing a prescription



A REGULAR CHECK UP IS A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE:

  • As we age, our risk for getting certain diseases increases. As a woman with a disability, you may overlook your basic preventive health care needs due to the amount of care you give to your disability. This can result in not finding and treating diseases that are curable if found early. Having a yearly exam for your overall good health will help to meet your health promotion needs.
     

  • Yearly exams provide a regular review and update of your own  health history and family health history.
     

  • During a regular exam, a review of medications and changes in your medication schedule can be done, as needed.
     

  • Yearly exams give you a chance to ask questions about any concerns you may have. Be sure to make a list of questions before the visit. Ask someone you trust to go with you, especially if you have hearing problems.  ASK QUESTIONS! 
     

  • To help you remember your questions and the answers, you might want to create a form or use one that already exists. There are Internet sources from which you can print this type of form.  Here are two examples, but there are several others:   Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and DrSavard.com 

  • If you don't understand, ask your doctor or nurse to explain.
    Refer to our COMMUNICATION webpage for ideas about how to get the most out of your talk with your health care provider.

  • Regular exams provide you with an assessment of your health and function since the last exam.
     

  • These exams help you and your health care provider to see what actions you can take to improve or maintain your health and function such as blood tests, screenings, or diet and exercise changes.
     

  • If you see a number of specialists, there may be medication changes, lab tests and other diagnostic tests that need to be reviewed. The yearly exam gives your primary care doctor a chance to "catch-up" on your health care and make sure that your records are complete and up-to-date.

  • Remember to find a primary health care provider who will look at  your primary health care needs. Specialists who treat specific conditions tend NOT to focus on general health promotion.


                                                     male health care provider writing in chart        

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08/11/2003 12:52 PM