Since your healthcare likely covers well visits and vaccinations- Go make that appointment now!
It is a mission of mine to encourage you to have a good relationship with your doctor- my dad was a doctor and people came from a far and near at his funeral because they had a “wonderful” relationship with him!

The best time to create a relationship is when you’re healthy, I mean, when your sick well that’s when your desparate. So use your well visits and check in with your physician!

Have your blood work done before your appointment making sure that any age appropriate screenings are on the lab request.Once the results are in, have a forward discussion about the results with your primary care physician.

Women need to schedule and complete their mammograms and annual GYN appointments. Men and women, both, need to make certain to talk about all the issues effecting your daily life. Let your doctor know about muscle issues, vision changes, sleep patterns and additional stresses that may be going on…really, don’t just show up and tell them that all is “good” if you have changes that should be explored or documented. Well visits are about prevention and early detection of disease.

Let your doctor know what’s going on with you and have an in depth discussion!
You are responsible for your healthy future! Create an open communication policy with your doctors, send the blood work results to all the front line physicians of your care, don’t assume they’ll receive them from the “office fairies.” Also, remember to make the follow-up call to let your doctor know if the action plans made with him/her are working.

Suggestion: If you are good to go for 2012 with your appointments then drop what your’re doing and schedule your well visits for 2013 now…just get those appointments on the books before time gets away from you.

Take care and Live well!

Follow these topics: Education & Discussion