Annual Physical Exam Checklist: How to Prepare and What To Expect (2024)

• An annual physical exam is important for all patients, but the exact tests and screenings depend on age, gender, and apatient’s current health.

• Before attending an annual physical exam, it is recommended to collect all the medical records available to you, alist of current medications, and any allergies. Apatient can also write down any questions or symptoms they are experiencing.

• An annual physical exam is apreventative health measure. It’s important to schedule regular check-ups with aprimary care physician, even if apatient has perfect health.

A physical exam is an assessment of someone’s overall health. During this appointment, ahealthcare provider diagnoses any new conditions and reviews current medical conditions. They also administer any needed vaccinations and provide insight into general health concerns, such as nutrient deficiencies, sleep troubles, mental health concerns, andmore.

Early signs of various conditions like heart disease, overactive or underactive thyroid, cervical cancer, blood clotting disorders, and more can also be identified during the physical exam.

A physical exam is achance to address any health concerns and monitor apatient’s physical and mental well-being. It’s apreventative measure, meaning even those in good health should schedule routine physical exams.

While the benefits of aphysical exam are many, the main ones include:

• Assessing apatient’s overall mental and physical health

• Administering any needed vaccinations

• Recommending other preventative health measures (routine screenings, dietary and lifestyle changes, new workouts).

• Reviewing and refilling medications.

• Check annual bloodtests.

• Providing aspace to ask questions about healthy habits or specific health concerns

• Developing abetter relationship with aprovider

A comprehensive physical exam also checks for different medical conditions that display fewer symptoms and are tricky to self-monitor. For example, without vitals check, blood work and other screenings, it’s difficult to diagnose problems with thyroid function.

Other common conditions, such as some types of cancer and high blood sugar, don’t display symptoms in their early stages. With an annual physical exam, adoctor can proactively catch these conditions earlier, allowing more time for treatment.

Who Should Get an Annual Physical Exam?

Let’s say someone has perfect health. They haven’t gotten sick in 2023, are experiencing no aches or pains, and have high energy levels. Should they get an annual physical exam? The short answer is yes.

An annual physical exam prevents future problems. Even if apatient is in perfect health, preventative screenings are necessary to sustain good health.

The word annual is in there for areason. Each year, schedule at least one check-up with aprimary medical provider. If adoctor recommends more regular check-ups because of apatient’s age or current health conditions, apatient should schedule more than one check-up ayear.

Physical exams cover different health aspects depending on age, gender, current conditions, and apatient’s lifestyle. If apatient smokes or isn’t as active, what’s covered in aphysical exam may differ from their counterparts who don’t smoke or who exercise four times aweek.

Despite these differences, some routine tests occur during almost every physical:

• Screening for diseases

• Vaccination administration, when needed

• Diabetes screening

• Screening for alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use

• Measuring vitals including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen level, and weight

• Screening for depression and anxiety

• Hearing and vision test

• Cholesterol screening

Along with these formal screenings and procedures, amedical provider will also ask questions to determine apatient’s mental and physical health. There will also be time for apatient to discuss any specific questions or problems they might be experiencing.

Adults Over65

While health screenings are essential at any age, they are especially important for older patients, and the number of routine screenings increases with age. Additional recommended health screenings for adults over the age of 65 include osteoporosis screening (especially for women) and colon cancer screening.

Certain routine tests, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screening, also become more important as we age. Because of this, it’s even more important for patients over the age of 65 to get aphysical exam annually.

Well-Woman Exam

A Well-Woman exam refers to an annual physical that includes tests and screenings related to conditions women may face. These gender-specific tests include aclinical breast exam (feeling underarms and breasts for any changes, such as lumps). If apatient is over 40, she should also get amammogram. Amedical provider also examines the vagin* and pelvic region in apap smear and pelvic exam.

Note: More women get an annual physical than men, but it’s an important health appointment, regardless of gender. While there isn’t alabeled ​“Well-Man” exam, men will often be screened for prostate cancer, which awoman won’t be screened for.

Well Child Physical Exam

As we previously discussed, what’s covered in an annual physical exam depends on avariety of factors, including age. Since childhood is atime of change and quick growth, there is aspecific procedure for these appointments.

Commonly referred to as a ​“well child physical exam,” an annual check-up for patients between the ages of 0and 18 includes:

• Checking if developmental milestones for specific ages have been reached. To learn more about developmental milestones, visit this link.

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• Nutrition and physical activity advice that’s appropriate for achild’s specific age.

• The administration of more vaccinations than during adult physical exams.

• Testing the deep tendon reflexes of older children and infantile reflexes for younger patients.

A Well Child exam also provides information on what parents should expect as achild develops and information on common childhood diseases.

Sports Physical vs Annual Checkup

If you have achild or grandchild – or play aprofessional sport yourself – asports physical may be recommended. This routine exam checks the physical fitness of apatient. During asports physical, aprovider also checks for injuries and conditions that may increase someone’s chance of injury, such as muscular dystrophy.

On the surface, this seems similar to an annual physical exam. While asports physical often contains many of the same tests, such as avision test, it doesn’t take the place of an annual exam.

Sometimes, amedical professional may perform both in the same appointment, but the keyword here is both. Even if someone requires asports physical, they should still receive an annual exam aswell.

When preparing for adoctor’s visit, there are afew things to consider, especially if the appointment is an annual physical exam. Because these exams are used to identify and prevent problems before they manifest, there are some documents and information to gather beforehand.

#1: Write down current health problems and allergies

Before aphysical, take inventory of the current health situation. If apatient experiences any symptoms or irregular health signs, such as muscle aches, they should write them down. Apatient should also add any allergies to their list of health concerns.

#2: Review health history

The past can paint apicture of the future, especially when it comes to health. Before an annual physical, search the family health history for any hereditary diseases, such as breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes or bipolar disorder.

A patient should also look into their personal medical history. This includes medications they are currently taking or have used in the past. Health devices, such as apacemaker or CPAP machine, that apatient is using or has used in the past should also be noted. Whenever applicable, write down the exact dosage.

#3: Research what health insurance covers

Health insurance covers different parts of aphysical, depending on the plan type. For example, one patient’s insurance might cover blood work while others won’t cover blood tests unless aspecialist orders it.

To minimize surprise costs, review your health insurance policy before an annual physical.

#4: Collect the names of specialists

If apatient sees specialists, they should write down their names and phone numbers in case specialty-specific issues come up during the appointment. Specialists can include but are not limited to, ophthalmologists, gynecologists, oncologists, dermatologists, and immunologists.

#5: Prepare any questions or health goals

An annual physical is atime to discuss any concerns or health goals with aprimary care physician. To get the most out of an annual exam, prepare questions for the physical exam or health goals to discuss with aprovider.

Note: Before heading to aphysical exam, make sure to check out these additional 18 tips on preparing for adoctor’s visit.

While these screenings are important, check what is and isn’t included on an insurance plan before aphysical. For adults over the age of 65 who are covered by Medicare, aphysical isn’t covered under Medicare, but ayearly wellness visit and aWelcome to Medicare visit are.

Both these appointments are similar to aphysical, but they focus more on preventative health and have fewer physical tests, such as the reflex test or the ability to take urine and blood samples. Both also include acognitive test, which isn’t apart of atraditional physical.

It’s still important to take advantage of the yearly wellness visit covered under your insurance (after all, it’s free). Just be sure to check with your insurance provider before the visit to avoid any added out-of-pocket costs orfees.

Before attending aphysical, it’s normal to feel anxious about what this appointment will cover. To clear any anxiety, here’s what to expect during aphysical exam:

• A primary care provider will take routine measurements, such as height and weight, and record vitalsigns.

• From there, they will review apatient’s personal and family history to see if there are any health risks. They may also discuss any physical or mental health symptoms or problems they may be experiencing.

• Depending on what preventive care needs to be done, they may complete preventive screenings. They may also order aurine or blood test depending on apatient’s age, gender, and current health.

• Your PCP will review your medications and send you the necessary refills.

• During aphysical examination, there’s also achance to ask any questions about general healthy living or address any current symptoms.

The exact order of these tasks and what exactly each entails can vary greatly, depending on the physician’s preferences and the patient. However, most annual exams cover these four points.

If aprovider orders blood tests or other screenings with delayed results, follow-up may be required. For example, if blood test results show alow white blood cell count, adoctor may call the patient to schedule afollow-up appointment or refer them to aspecialist.

Patients should be aware that adoctor may call them after aphysical exam with follow-up steps, especially if additional tests are ordered. Furthermore, many practices now have an online portal where patients can set up an account, access their post-exam notes, and message their doctor with any lingering questions.

What items are included in a physical exam?

A physical exam will cover different aspects depending on a patient’s age, gender, and medical history. Generally speaking, a physical exam includes reviewing health history, measuring vitals (such as blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels), conducting any needed screenings, such as colon cancer screening, and assessing a patient's overall physical and mental well-being. A medical provider may also recommend additional tests or lifestyle changes during a physical exam.

What not to do before a physical exam test?

During a physical exam, there’s a chance a doctor will order tests and screenings. For the most accurate results, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption before a physical. If blood work is required, a medical provider may also prohibit eating or drinking for eight to twelve hours before blood tests.

How do you prepare for a physical?

To prepare for a physical, gather any information on family medical history, create a list of current medications, and write down any questions for the doctor.

What to wear to a physical?

There’s nothing specific to wear to a physical, though patients should dress for comfort. If a patient is receiving any vaccines, a short-sleeve shirt or loose-fitting shirt can make it easier to administer the vaccine. Depending on health needs, a patient may be asked to wear a medical gown.