Wellness Checkup 101: Navigating Preventive Care
Wellness visits, also called a wellness checkup, focus on keeping you healthy rather than treating you when you're sick. Just like how we change the oil in our cars regularly to prevent engine issues, a wellness visit to the doctor is like a tune-up for our bodies to catch any potential health concerns early. Bonus; they may reduce future health costs.
A wellness checkup appointment is like planning what to pack for a vacation. Sure, you could fly by the seat of your pants and risk forgetting something important (I’m looking at you, passport). Or you could think of it as planning ahead for what you’ll need based on where you’re going. With a little planning, that trip could go a lot more smoothly. I mean, who wants to be stranded at the airport for hours without their cell phone? Trying to entertain yourself with overpriced snacks is not the wellness retreat you had in mind!
As discussed in the previous blog posts of this doctor visit series, patient-centered care is here to stay. Some healthcare facilities are even using a concept called the Patient Activation Measure as a way to figure out how involved someone is in taking care of their health. It looks at four stages:
- Believing that their role as a patient is important.
- Gaining the knowledge and confidence needed to make healthy choices.
- Taking steps to improve and maintain their health.
- Sticking with those healthy habits, even when life gets stressful.
This tool helps doctors and caregivers create personalized plans and track progress over time.
In the last part of this three-part series on how to engage in a collaborative relationship with your doctor, we’ll look at the wellness visit and how you can use that time to your advantage so you have a better chance of reaching your health goals.
In connection with the other two blogs I’ve posted on this subject, my sister Dr. Jill Marcus (I’m calling her Dr. J), a Family Medicine Practitioner and Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Group in Chicago, Illinois, has been super helpful in providing content here, and I thank her immensely for helping bring this to light from a physician’s perspective.
Confusion about what happens during these appointments can lead to anxiety or unmet expectations. This short guide aims to clear up those uncertainties, offering information on what to expect and how to prepare for a wellness checkup.
What Is a Wellness Visit?
Wellness visits are a time to talk about preventive care. This can include topics like:
- early screening to detect diseases like cancer and heart disease,
- what you can focus on to prevent diseases (to the extent you can),
- managing chronic illnesses,
- discussing bloodwork results, etc.
One reason wellness visits are important is that the doctor typically orders routine bloodwork and regularly checks blood pressure.
These tests can reveal signs of diseases or disorders such as pre-diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure), that may not show symptoms but could lead to serious complications down the road.
Wellness visits are also a tool that can help manage chronic conditions as we traverse the bumpy road that is life. While they haven’t necessarily directly equated to reduced mortality, these visits have been linked to better recognition and treatment of chronic diseases, improved control of risk factors, more use of preventive services, and result in patients reporting improvements in their overall health.
The Focus of Wellness Visits
According to Dr. J., “The wellness visit is focused on all of the screenings and preventive care that all patients need. There is little time for anything else in these visits." These might include:
- Cancer Screenings: Early detection methods for diseases like cancer.
- Heart Disease Prevention: Discussions about lifestyle changes to prevent heart issues.
- Chronic Illness Management: Strategies for managing ongoing conditions.
Immunizations and Lifestyle Counseling: Recommendations based on age, gender, and health status. - Health and Lifestyle Tips: Collaborating to create a roadmap for ways to live healthier.
The Challenge of Time
The time constraints that physicians face in providing preventive services can be a challenge. Dr. J. adds, "When we try to accomplish both wellness and problems in the same visit, we don’t cover either of them sufficiently." So, plan on coming back if you have more than 2-3 problems to discuss.
A study showed that doctors would need to spend 14 hours a day to provide all the preventive services, so you'll likely need to focus on the most important things first and plan more visits if needed.
Dr. J. recommends using your time during the wellness visit judiciously. If the doctor only has 45 minutes to discuss things like the pros and cons of recommended scans or your family history and you’ve spent the majority of that time talking about your bad back, you’ve missed out on important information. On the other hand, if the doctor spends 40 minutes covering wellness topics and you don’t get to something that’s been on your mind or bothering you, you’ll run out of time and need to make another appointment to discuss those concerns. So balance the most important topics you want to make sure to address while letting the doctor cover the basics.
Preparing for a Wellness Checkup
Mom or Dad have high cholesterol or high blood pressure? Sibling has diabetes? If a parent had a heart attack, stroke, cancer, etc., what type and at what age? You know, when the doctor/healthcare professional asks you to get more detailed about your family history?
There’s a reason for this. Knowing this history can help you and your doctor decide what types of tests to run and bloodwork to collect in order to continually monitor anything that might put you at a higher risk. Learn as much about your family history as you can before you go. Write it down if that helps.
The Surgeon General’s website has a “My Family Health Portrait” that you can use to create your family health history. Print it out and take it to your next wellness visit.
And here’s another great downloadable resource from the March of Dimes, Family Health History form.
Top 5 Tips to Maximize Your Next Wellness Checkup Appointment
According to Dr. J., having a plan and asking targeted questions is key to making the most of your doctor's visit. So, trust yourself, do your homework, and don't be shy. Here are 5 steps to thoroughly cover your visit:
1. Make a List
Before the appointment, jot down everything you'd like to discuss. This can include things like writing down your family history (because it’s too easy to forget it all, especially if you’re feeling rushed), most importantly your parents, siblings, and grandparents, as well as writing down any health issues that have come up for you since your last wellness visit. Be thorough and honest about your concerns (a judgmental practitioner or one who dismisses your concerns are red flags that it might be time to find another doctor).
2. Prioritize Your Concerns
Rank the items on your list in order of importance. Dr. J recommends prioritizing your list with your physician at the beginning of the appointment. Prepare to discuss the top two or three things more thoroughly and schedule a follow-up appointment for the rest.
3. Do Your Research
Instead of asking broad questions like, "Why can't I sleep?" research your symptoms on a reputable website and ask something specific, such as, "Could a lack of calcium or magnesium be causing my poor sleep? Should we do bloodwork?" This approach helps you get specific answers to your specific concerns.
4. Before Your Visit
When making an appointment, ask whether or not you should refrain from eating or drinking anything prior to having blood work done so your doctor will get the most accurate results. Is there anything the doctor has requested you bring to the visit? Don’t forget it.
5. Consider Your Big Health Goals
The wellness checkup is the perfect time to collaborate with your doctor about any health goals you might be striving to reach. For example, if you have a strong family history of heart disease, do you want to find lifestyle changes that might help you prevent it?
Here are a few questions to consider as you go about trying to figure out some of your bigger health goals:
- What would you like your wellness to look like in three months, one year, two years, five years, etc.?
- What are the top three values in your life?
- How is your wellness linked to these values?
Discuss with your doctor what it might take for you to reach these wellness goals. Plan to develop a strategy together because you are the expert on you, and only you know what fits your lifestyle.
Tips for Success
Keep an Open Mind: While you should be prepared, also be open to your doctor's expertise and guidance.
Speak Up: You know your body better than anyone, so articulate what you're experiencing.
For example, a few years ago I noticed I was feeling achy at night. It was out of the ordinary for me, so I decided to do some research before my upcoming checkup. I discovered that testing for C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation) might provide insights into what was going on in my body.
I approached my physician with this information, calmly expressing my concerns and asking if testing for this marker made sense. After listening to my rationale, he agreed and ordered the bloodwork.
Be Honest and Open: Share the complete story with your doctor.
Find the Right Health Care Provider: Seek personal recommendations from friends or family. Read reviews online. Request a consultation and meet with the doctor first to see if you click. (Hint: if a doctor dismisses your concerns, it might be time to find a new one that aligns with your communication style.) Try the support of a Health Coach.
Don’t Feel Rushed: Take some time to consider the options presented if you need it.
Repeat Plan of Action at End of Visit: Summarize the agreed-upon course of action to your doctor as the session is wrapping up to make sure you’re on the same page.
Use Technology: Record the conversation with your doctor on your phone. That way you can look back at it later to reinforce what you discussed together, or if you have questions you can refer to the recording.
Tip: Curious about which screening tests are right for you? Explore a list of the most common screenings recommended for women and essential health screenings for men to discuss with your doctor.
Like the Girl Scouts, Be Prepared
Wellness checkups are an essential part of maintaining good health. By preparing in advance, focusing on the most important concerns, and finding a healthcare provider who understands your needs, you can make the most of these visits. While visiting your doctor can feel like a dreadful experience, by taking the reins and going in with the goal of reaching personal health goals you can maximize the time with your provider.
While a check-up appointment isn’t exactly as fun as a vacation, you can do some prep work to get the most out of it, which may bring you peace of mind that you’re collaborating with your doctor to create your own wellness path.
During your next healthcare visit, try using some of the tips from this three-part series on patient-centered care, because whether you’ve already experienced it or not, it’s coming soon to a healthcare professional near you.
Perfection rejectionist Lisa Kiersky Schreiber is a nutrition and lifestyle coach who helps clients take a holistic and realistic approach to wellness. Lisa got off the diet carousel and can help you do the same.
Find other articles written by Lisa on her coach profile. Her philosophy will help you simplify your nutrition lifestyle so you can learn to trust yourself implicitly around food.
