The Doctor-Patient Relationship: The Importance Of the Physical Exam

By Darryl A. Hill, MD

Laurel Medical Associates, LLC

. http://laurelmedicine.com

More Family/Primary Care Articles

The Doctor-Patient Relationship: The Importance Of the Physical Exam

For most of our lives we have always been told to get a physical exam or check up. Some may even call it a wellness check. Most of us have an idea of the importance of this examination, but there are still some of us that do not. Now more than ever, in this day of insurance companies, computers and even more distractions in the examination room the physical exam is even more important. This is because your personal health information combined with the doctor patient relationship is critical to your health.

Furthermore, the name of the game these days is called prevention. What better way to stay healthy, than to have a comprehensive evaluation of your health while further developing the doctor-patient relationship and implementing a preventative health program that prevents health problems.

Nobody wakes up and plans to have a heart attack, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension or cancer to name a few of the chronic illnesses that we are challenged with. The physical exam is priceless and below are a few more reasons why this exam is important for you.

One of the most important things that take place during the physical exam or wellness check is a comprehensive personal health history evaluation. During this time, your personal health history is reviewed along with any family history of medical illness. It is easy to forget that, we for genetic reasons, inherit many of the problems our parents experienced. With this knowledge your doctor is able to help design a plan that is customized to your needs. In addition, your immunization history, health habits and previous cancer testing are reviewed.

The exam portion of this evaluation, gives your doctor a chance to evaluate any physical complaints while an examination of the entire body is completed. This evaluation, which will include a visual inspection, gives the doctor a chance to gather a lot of information about you. How you communicate, look, and walk in addition to an evaluation of your skeletal, heart, lung and other systems will provide priceless information about you. All of this information is then customized into a health plan that has a goal of keeping you as healthy as possible.

All of the above are important findings regarding your exam, but equally important is what this visit does for the doctor patient relationship. By taking the time to have examinations such as this you further develop the doctor patient relationship. Your doctor now will have the opportunity to learn more about you and have the ability to use this relationship to benefit you and your health. The exam helps your doctor understand your concerns and partner better with you. With so much going on in our healthcare system the physical exam and the doctor patient relationship are priceless. This exam and the doctor patient relationship are so important they can save your life.