Posted On: May 9, 2022

The Benefits of a Comprehensive Annual Health Assessment (and What to Expect!)

The annual exam or wellness visit is an opportunity for you and your doctor to review your overall health and to focus on preventive care instead of problems. It is an integral component of personalized healthcare. It should be performed with a distinctive touch, and with compassion. The relationship you form with your physician now can help immensely when health issues arise later.  

We have come to understand that being proactive with one’s health can prevent many debilitating illnesses later. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Aging gracefully and with full functionality has more influence on a person’s long-term happiness than nearly anything else. Did you know that 95% of heart attacks can be prevented? Or that management of anxiety and depression can prolong life by several years? Cancer survival rates are directly impacted by early identification of a tumor, and multiple screening tests are already available. Additionally, other exciting methods are in development to assist in finding cancer early when it can best be treated. These things, and more, can be addressed as part of an annual exam. 

What can you expect from a typical annual exam? 

• Measure your height and weight 
• Check your vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen level, temperature 
• Review and update your medication list, and review allergies 
• Review your family health history  
• Review your vaccine status  
• Review the status of chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid disease 
• Review and discuss updates from your outside physicians 
• Document emergency contacts, review end-of-life decisions, and define approach to blood transfusions 
• Assess the social environment and how it might affect one’s health, including smoking, alcohol intake, diet, stress levels 
• Perform a physical exam, including when indicated, a clinical breast exam and pelvic exam for women and genital exam for men. 
• Blood tests drawn in the office and processed by LabCorp (such as metabolic panel, cholesterol, blood sugar screening, and others as indicated)  
• Other age-appropriate screening tests or referrals such as a hearing screen, visual acuity screen, electrocardiogram, and colon and cervical cancer screening tests.  

In my concierge medicine practice, annual exams are generally 60 to 90 minutes – two to three times longer than in a traditional primary care office.

With this extra time, we are able to provide additional services that identify emerging health issues and help you to be as healthy as possible. We take a personalized approach to your appointment, customizing the elements to match your personal health history. We help you make the most of your time by efficiently reviewing multiple aspects of your health at one time. And we dig deeply into your health history, listen to your concerns, and answer any questions you may have – all in an unhurried manner. Your health matters to us! We provide the highest level of care and want to assist as you lead your best life. 

As a part of your annual exam at Eileen West, MD and Associates you will receive the typical services listed above, plus advanced preventive care such as: 

• a cardiovascular risk assessment 
• a body composition analysis  
• a detailed breast cancer risk assessment (for women)  
• additional screening questionnaires for sleep apnea, mood disorders, fracture risk and sexual health.  
• referral for a complimentary Nutrition Consultation with our nutritionist 
• referral for a complimentary Functional Fitness Test with our physical therapist 

At the end of your exam, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive visit summary (easily accessible online through our clinical portal) and updated prescriptions as needed. We’ll also assist you with scheduling follow-up visits with specialists and other screening facilities. Finally, we contact you with periodic reminders when additional follow-up and screenings are due. 

All elements of this comprehensive annual exam are included in your concierge membership, with the exception of lab work, which is billed through LabCorp and is typically covered by your insurance.  

Are you due for an annual health assessment? Give the office a call at 571-999-9378 now and we can get you scheduled. There’s no time like the present to understand your current health situation and start achieving your healthcare goals! 

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