Should Healthy People See Doctors?

Most people grew up seeing a pediatrician regularly throughout childhood. Yet, in adulthood, not all individuals are as diligent with maintaining regular doctor visits. When medical issues are present, skipping routine visits can be risky, increasing the chances of adverse health outcomes. What about when an adult is healthy? Does this cohort need to schedule routine visits? The answer is yes, and the reason why can vary by age range and gender.

Annual exams vs wellness visits

Often used interchangeably, the annual visit and the wellness check aren’t always focused on the same concerns. The annual exam often focuses on screenings for common concerns based on the patient’s gender, age, and previous medical history. This appointment will often include a physical exam, lab work, such as blood or stool samples, and a discussion of previous health issues, especially if the individual has a known medical condition. By contrast, the wellness visit will typically skip the exam and lab work and may be limited to basic vital statistics such as weight, height, and blood pressure readings.

Visitation frequency can vary

A variety of factors will influence how often a healthy adult should see the doctor. For people with no known underlying medical conditions, visiting a family practitioner is usually encouraged every 1-3 years between the ages of 18-40. Once a person turns 45, the frequency increases annually. If a patient has a known chronic medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or even asthma, guidance encourages more appointments regardless of age. The routine could require visits every 3-6 months.

Common screens at routine checkups

Both men and women can expect to have common vitals checked, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. For sexually active individuals, an STI screen might be taken. Certain lifestyle behaviors like smoking or alcohol consumption may also require additional testing for conditions like lung cancer or substance abuse. Many physicians also check for depression, obesity, other forms of cancer depending on family history, and diabetes. Women in particular may be screened for intimate partner violence, mammograms and pap smears, and osteoporosis beginning at age 65. For men, prostate exams often begin around age 50, and abdominal aortic aneurysms if an individual is a smoker.

Be an informed patient

Routine exams or even regular checkups are a great time to come prepared with questions or concerns. To optimize medical care, patients are encouraged to take an active role in health outcomes. Asking about new medication options, bringing up concerns about specific symptoms or underlying conditions, or even seeking out new treatment solutions help people take a more proactive role. The goal is to be an active participant in the process rather than passively waiting for physicians to bring up concerns.

Don’t skip regular visits

Preventative care will always be a smarter strategy for overall health and wellness goals. Regular doctor visits help both patients and physicians identify issues early and create a treatment plan that can more effectively target healing, recovery, or remission depending on the condition. Making time for routine visits now can improve health outcomes for the long term.