U.S. News & World Report: How Often Should You See Your Doctor?
U.S. News & World Report recently interviewed Anthony Chen, MD, a family medicine and primary care doctor at Torrance Memorial Health, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, about the various factors that determine how often to see a doctor.
According to research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, regular primary care visits are linked to better health outcomes and reduced risk of hospitalizations. For most healthy adults, doctors recommend a visit every one to three years.
Chen told U.S. News & World Report that annual physicals are useful occasions to discuss changes in health and address potential concerns before they arise.
"Even if you feel healthy, annual physicals for most adults – and Annual Wellness Visits for Medicare beneficiaries – are valuable opportunities to identify risks early and maintain long-term wellness," Chen said.
Chen added that exceptions to this yearly schedule include children, who need vaccines and growth monitoring, as well as adults with chronic conditions.
"Those with chronic conditions benefit from more regular monitoring to prevent complications and ensure treatment is working," Chen told U.S. News. He explained that if someone’s chronic condition is stable, they should see a doctor every three to six months, and more frequently if it’s uncontrolled.
Experts said other exceptions include seeing a specialist for screening if you have a family history of cancer, such as breast or colon cancer, of if you experience a significant life change, like switching jobs or starting menopause.
To better streamline doctor appointments, Chen recommends scheduling the next visit while still at the doctor’s office.
Read the complete article from U.S. News & World Report.