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Ask Your Primary Care Provider These Questions During A Physical

11 July 2016 by Joann Dunn

Whether it's been more than a few years since your last physical examination or you visit a local medical clinic, such as Summit View Clinic, for these appointments frequently, this face time with your primary care provider gives you a chance to fully understand your current health situation. You can gain this knowledge partly by listening carefully when your doctor speaks and by asking for a summary of your checkup to be emailed to you, and partly by being engaged in the process and asking plenty of questions. Your physical is an ideal chance to ask any questions that are on your mind, given that you're dealing with your doctor one on one. Here are some useful questions to ask during your physical.

Am I In Better Or Worse Health Than My Last Physical?

To understand your health, it's useful to be able to assess whether you're moving in the right direction or not. Asking your doctor to compare your current physical results to your last checkup will provide you with an idea of whether you need to make improvements in your life or whether you just need to keep on doing what you're doing. For example, many doctors test their patients' body mass index, or BMI, during physicals. If your BMI is higher than it was at your last physical, you'll know that making some dietary changes and getting more exercise should be a priority.

Are You Concerned About Anything?

If you're the type of person who constantly worries about his or her health, asking the doctor about any concerns can often set your mind at ease. For example, your doctor could indicate that your track record of health is positive and, based on your family health history, you don't likely have anything to worry about. Conversely, your doctor could indicate that he or she is a little worried about one thing, such as your blood pressure. You can then discuss strategies to lower your blood pressure, such as reducing your stress.

Should I Be Taking Any Daily Medication?

If you've had bloodwork taken during a previous clinic visit and are now learning about the results of those tests, it's ideal to talk about any medication that you should be taking. For example, if your results show that you're a little low in calcium or iron, your doctor will likely recommend that you take supplements of this nature on a regular basis. This is also an ideal opportunity to let your doctor know about any off-the-shelf medication that you're taking and determine if he or she recommends continuing to take it or stopping.

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