An annual physical may be the most important appointment you need to make sure that your overall health remains steady and improves. No matter how many tests, medications, or exams you take throughout the year, the annual physical remains the best tool to ensure your health is on the right track.
That is because the information gathered by a primary care provider during a physical identifies the major conditions and causes of your personal health. Without a routine physical, you could experience a new health risk that goes unaddressed or untreated.
However, planning an annual physical may be daunting as your responsibilities, family, and other priorities could get in the way of remembering to get your checkup.
Here are some ways that you can plan out your annual physical and keep up with your most important health appointment:
Pick a date that is a full calendar year from your last physical
It may seem like common sense to plan a year between physicals, but some people tend to forget to remember the date of their last checkup and when they need the appropriate follow up.
Contact your primary care provider if you forget when your expected physical, since they can provide you with that information. Other helpful tips to remember your annual checkup include keeping a health journal, referencing any medical records you have available, and creating a digital calendar with all your commitments including healthcare-related events.
Coordinate with your employer about when to get your physical
Sometimes it can be stressful to request time off work when there are a lot of projects or commitments on your plate. A simple way to reduce this stress and fit in your physical is to request your appointment in advance.
Inform your supervisor or human resources coordinator of when your checkup is (usually a full calendar year from your last one). Planning your medical needs ahead helps to promote a healthy work-life balance and reduces the likelihood that one commitment may interfere with the other.
Prepare for your physical and have any/all health information ready for your provider
Once you’re at your online appointment booking, make sure that any updates about your health, medication history, stress, and mental health levels, and related information is available to your primary care provider. These pieces of information can improve the quality of your physical and help you adjust your healthcare routines accordingly.
If you are looking for a primary care provider, or any primary care service, you can always set up an appointment through Instant Urgent Care’s primary care services and find a provider you can trust.