Physical Exams Specialist

What Should You Bring to a Physical Exam? 

There are several important things that you should bring to your doctor visit. First, be sure that you bring a list of all current medications that you are taking. This even includes herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications. Another important thing to bring to a physical exam is a list of any and all health problems that you have been having. Make sure to keep track of all your symptoms, whether they seem to be connected or not. The doctor is trained to make those connections and arrive at a diagnosis. If you have recently undergone any lab tests or had any imaging tests (such as X-rays, etc.) outside of the doctor's office, be sure to bring those results along as well. 

What Will The Doctor Need to Know? 

The doctor will ask how you're feeling right now, and how you have been feeling recently. At this point, you'll usually have an opportunity to review the list of symptoms that you've brought along. The doctor will ask for further details about the symptoms you are experiencing. For example, the doctor may ask you whether the symptoms are worse at certain times of the day, and you will usually be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Finally, the doctor will ask you whether there is anything that helps relieve any symptoms you are having. Of course, if you're feeling just fine overall, this part of the visit will not take very long at all. 

When Will a Follow-Up Visit Be Scheduled? 

If you are healthy and feeling well, you may not need to see the doctor again until your next regularly scheduled physical exam. However, if you discussed specific problems that require treatment, the chances are good that you'll need to see the doctor again after you have completed treatment