Many Americans visit a doctor every year.
Every year, 64 million Americans visit a doctor for a physical exam, according to a 2007 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Some researchers, however, question the need for routine, yearly checkups.
Features
At a traditional annual exam, the doctor asks about your family history of health issues and performs blood pressure and other in-office tests to assess your overall health. She also determines if you need any other tests or vaccinations. You also can ask questions about your health concerns.
Effects
About two-thirds of U.S. physicians and their patients believe that everyone should visit a doctor annually for a checkup, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine study by Dr. Ateev Mehrotra published in "American Medical News."
Significance
Mehrotra's study says that annual physicals and gynecological exams cost Americans $8 billion each year.
Expert Insight
Allan Goroll, an internist and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says in ACP Internist that not much evidence exists to support the idea that annual exams improve health outcomes. Instead, he says doctors should screen patients for key health risks, including heart disease, cancer and depression, at regular intervals.
Considerations
Most doctors prefer the term "periodic health exam" over annual exam, according to the American College of Physicians. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend these regular health checkups, to prevent problems and to catch diseases or other conditions in the early stages, when treatment may be more successful.
