How to Get the Most Out of Your Wellness Visit

Having a periodic wellness visit with your doctor can help you with your preventive health needs.

"While your primary care doctor will address your acute, chronic and preventive needs each time you see him or her, a wellness visit is an opportunity to review your current health and medical needs, and discuss prevention measures that are right for you based on age and family history," advised Dr. Ruth Lo Pan, an internal medicine physician at Sharp Rees-Stealy Sorrento Mesa.

Read our five tips to get the most out of your wellness visit.

  1. Remember this is a wellness visit. This is a time to discuss prevention. It's best not to try to incorporate medical problems into this visit, as it will take away from what you are there for. If you have urgent medical concerns, your doctor may need to address them that day, and the wellness visit can be rescheduled. For nonurgent medical concerns, it is best to cover these during another appointment.
  2. Bring a list of your medications and supplements. Let your doctor know what medicines you take each day. "Make sure to include vitamins, herbal remedies, supplements and prescription medications. If it's too much for you to write down, bring them all in a paper bag to review," recommended Dr. Pan.
  3. Ask about screenings. Certain health screenings — such as those for the colon, breast and prostate — will be discussed.
  4. Ask about your numbers. This is a good time to check in on your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, weight, body mass index, heart rate and any other number that your doctor has been watching. Talk about what you need to do to keep these measurements in healthy ranges.
  5. Get needed immunizations. You should be vaccinated against the flu and whooping cough, or pertussis. The shingles and pneumonia vaccines may also be on your preventive health list. Ask your doctor for more information.