What are annual physicals?
Annual physicals, also called check-ups, are yearly visits to Redwood Family Health Center for health and wellness maintenance. Making annual physicals a part of your routine lets you maintain a close connection with a physician you can trust and an even closer connection with your health.
Generally, an annual physical involves discussing your health and wellness with your physician, whom you may not have seen since your previous annual physical if you didn’t get sick in the past 12 months. We go over your health goals and make sure you’re up-to-date with immunizations.
Sometimes, annual physicals must go longer than the standard 30 minutes. At Redwood Family Health Center, we take as much time as necessary to make sure we cover all bases during your annual physical and may recommend further tests like disease screenings and diagnostic lab testing.
Why should I get annual physicals?
Annual physicals fall into the category of preventive care. You don’t need to be sick or experiencing symptoms when you come in for an annual physical because the main purpose of the visit is to check in on your health and track any changes since your last visit.
A few of the many benefits of coming in for annual physicals are:
- Staying up-to-date on immunizations
- Getting early diagnoses with screenings and tests
- Receiving beneficial lifestyle and diet guidelines to improve your health
- Managing your medications
- Getting detailed answers to your health-related questions
- Building a trusting relationship with your physician
If you have a Redwood Family Health Center membership, we keep track of your family history and personal medical history, starting with your initial comprehensive visit. This accelerates the process of getting annual physicals since you don’t have to reintroduce yourself and your health background every time.
What should I expect during my annual physicals?
Your annual physicals can vary a little from year to year, depending on your age, risk factors, and needs at the time of the visit.
You can expect your annual physical to last for at least 30 minutes and include some of the same basic steps every time, like measuring your vital signs and a general visual inspection of your eyes, ears, throat, and skin.
Your next annual physical might also include:
- Disease screenings
- Immunization updates
- Well-woman examination
- Medication management
- Chronic disease management
You should be sure to report any new developments or concerns about your health to your physician.
If you’re ready to schedule an annual physical for yourself or a loved one, call Redwood Family Health Center or request an appointment online today.
