The Importance of Wellness Visits

Date: 09/29/23

In the past, people only went to the doctor when they were sick. But even if you seem healthy it doesn't necessarily mean that you are. If we can stop illnesses early, we can all have better health outcomes. That’s why preventive care and checkups with your doctor are so important.

Making a habit out of getting your yearly checkups, often called wellness visits, is a great way to stay healthy.

But why are they so important?

Wellness visits allow doctors the chance to catch diseases sooner and treat them better. Another benefit of regular visits is that your doctor can assess your overall health. They can review your prescriptions, check your vaccination status, examine your body with screenings, and give lifestyle advice to improve your health. Wellness visits help establish a good relationship with your doctor. The more your doctor knows about you and your history, the better your treatment can be.

Visits are a great time to ask questions, raise concerns, and learn more about how to care for your health. 

Consider bringing these questions with you to your next checkup:

• Am I due for any vaccinations?
• Are there any screenings I should get?
• Does my family history put me at risk for any illnesses?
• Are there lifestyle changes I should make?
• Do I need any changes to my prescriptions?
• Can you explain my test results?
• Are the symptoms I’m experiencing normal?
• Do I need a specialist? And will I need a referral?
• Will I need a follow-up visit?