Do you ever think about how often you should see your doctor? Everyone knows to go to the doctor when they feel unwell or have an issue. But it’s also important to have regular checkups with your physician. The number of checkups you have typically will depend on your age and any underlying conditions you have.
This article will explain why it’s so important to make regular doctor appointments. It also reviews how this schedule changes over time, and the importance of being compliant with any treatment plan you may be on. We’ll also talk about why it’s important to create a good relationship with your doctor. (And we’ll share some tips for how to go about doing it!)
The Importance Of Regular Healthcare Checkups
- Having an ongoing record of your health can help your doctor notice any abnormalities that might pop up.
- Helps you stay on top of any vaccinations or screenings you may need as you get older.
- May help detect a condition early, making it less complicated to treat (and less expensive!)
- Regular checkups will help you manage any ongoing medical issues you may have. They’ll also help you stay compliant with any treatment plans your doctor may have started you on.
- Seeing your doctor regularly helps you build a good relationship with them. You’ll get to know and trust each other and that rapport can be incredibly helpful down the road. Let’s say you develop a condition where you need a treatment plan in place. Having an established relationship means your doctor will know you well enough to address any concerns you might have. As an added bonus, you’ll know him or her well enough to trust them.
How Often Should You See Your Doctor?
This answer really varies from person to person. It depends on their health, any chronic conditions they may have, and their age. In general, it’s recommended that a healthy person under the age of 50 visit their doctor every 3 years. People over 50 should visit every year. This is for preventative care and general health screenings that are typically required at these ages.
Factors that may influence the frequency of visits
This schedule of course may change based on your circumstances. Talk to your doctor about routine screenings (like pap smears and colonoscopies) and vaccines. Your doctor may recommend a more concentrated schedule for routine checkups if something unexpected comes back on one of your screenings.
Additionally, if you have a chronic illness, such as diabetes or COPD, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about more frequent visits. You and your doctor can work out a schedule that fits your specific needs.
Finally, if something has changed since your last visit, don’t be scared to schedule an impromptu checkup. Maybe you develop a strange skin rash that doesn’t go away. Or you start experiencing bladder leaks that are impacting your day-to-day life. Or, a close family member is diagnosed with a genetic condition that puts you at an increased risk of getting the same thing. These instances would warrant a visit to your doctor, even if it’s outside of your typical schedule. You know yourself best and if something seems off, it’s best to get it checked out.
Why Regular Visits Help With Compliance
For many conditions, compliance is a key part of a successful treatment plan. Keeping up with your exercises, medications, or other treatments your doctor has prescribed helps to ensure you’re moving along a path to wellness. Seeing your doctor regularly not only gives you motivation to stay the course. It also gives your doctor the opportunity to check in and see how everything is going.
There are many common barriers to compliance. The treatment may be hard to fit into your schedule, it may be uncomfortable and unpleasant, or you may develop unwanted side effects that make you stop whatever treatment you’re on. By seeing your doctor regularly, he or she will be able to ask you about all of these potential setbacks. He or she can provide you with tips for overcoming them. Or, they can determine if a new course of treatment is needed.
Regular visits may also help you broach an uncomfortable subject more easily than if you didn’t know your doctor that well. In 2020 NAFC conducted a survey with patients that asked them about their relationship with their doctor. We found that those who visited their doctor more regularly were more likely to bring up their bladder issues sooner than those who saw their doctor only occasionally. Additionally, those who saw their doctors regularly felt more supported during the discussion and felt like their concerns were taken seriously more so than those who saw their doctors less frequently.
How To Build A Strong Relationship With Your Doctor
By now, you probably know where this is headed, but regular visits are key to ensuring that you’re building good trust and a good rapport with your doctor – one of the most important people involved in your overall health. Sticking to your regular schedule helps ensure that you and your doctor create a history, and helps your doctor develop a good sense of you and any medical issues you may find yourself dealing with.
But scheduling the visit is only half the battle. It’s also important to be open and honest with your doctor. If something is bothering you, even if you’re not sure it’s a big deal, don’t be afraid to bring it up. Remember – your doctor has seen thousands of patients and has likely heard your question or complaint before. Being open with your doctor puts him or her in the best possible position to be able to help you.
If you need some help opening up to your doctor, especially when it comes to bladder leaks (an often difficult conversation to have), check out our guide to talking to your doctor for some tips and ideas.
Go ahead – make your appointment.
In conclusion, seeing your doctor regularly is an important part of any general health plan. It not only helps you catch any issues that may pop up earlier rather than later, but it can help you build a strong relationship with your doctor, which may be beneficial in many ways down the road.
If you can’t remember the last time you had a checkup, it’s probably been too long. Time to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Need some help? Check out our Find A Doctor tool to locate a healthcare provider near you.
