What is an Annual Wellness Visit?

Annual wellness visits are an important part of preventive health care. Instead of waiting for things to go wrong, your primary care provider will check on your health during your wellness visit and identify risk factors for potential problems down the road.

We’ll walk you through what an annual wellness visit is meant to assess and accomplish.

Physical Exam

Although an annual wellness visit is sometimes confused with a physical exam, there are distinct differences. A physical exam is often just a small part of the annual wellness visit. During a physical exam, your medical team will check your basic stats, including blood pressure, height and weight. Your doctor may ask you to move certain body parts or feel them to check for abnormalities. You can review the recommended health screenings for men and health screenings for women in more detail.

Health Risk Assessments

During your yearly wellness visit, your doctor conducts a health risk assessment. They start by gathering important information about your health and personal history, including:

• Family history
• Medical history
• Previous surgeries and minor procedures
• Concerns about your health.

Your primary care doctor also identifies lifestyle factors that could influence your wellness, including:

• Activity levels
• Alcohol use
• Nutrition
• Sleep habits
• Smoking status
• Stress levels
• Weight

Covering each of these factors helps your doctor determine the best plan for keeping your body and mind healthy.

Medication Review

At your annual wellness visit, your primary care team will update your list of medications as needed. This helps identify any potential side effects or bad interactions that could harm your health immediately and in the long term. Your primary care provider will then make medication recommendations based on your current health status and prescription list.

The Importance of Annual Wellness Visits

Annual wellness visits are more than physical exams. It’s an opportunity for your doctor to cover multiple things regarding your current health condition, helps prevent diseases and empowers you to maintain optimal health all year long. If you skip your annual wellness exam, you may miss important information about your health including:

• Early detection of health problems - Preventive care is designed to detect serious health issues at early stages. Early intervention is crucial for positive health outcomes, and it could be the difference between life and death for some health conditions.
• Establishing a baseline for health - Frequent check-ins with your primary care provider are important if you have any existing medical conditions. Annual wellness exams allow your doctor to track changes in your health over time. This data guides your treatment plans.
• Patient-provider communication - Communication between patients and primary health care providers vastly improves public health. When you have a comfortable relationship with your provider, you know more about what's happening with your body. As a result, you'll be able to live your healthiest life, and you'll feel more secure in your lifelong wellness journey.

Preparing for Your Annual Wellness Visit

If your doctor does not already have your health records, you'll need to provide your updated health information for your annual wellness exam. The more documentation you bring, the better. Your provider will then review the necessary information to make the best decisions about your treatment plan.

Bring a list of questions or concerns you currently have about your health. No matter how minor they may seem, it's important to bring everything up. Subtle symptoms can be signs of much larger health problems.

Maximizing the Benefits of Your Annual Wellness Visit

Ultimately, what is an annual wellness visit good for if it doesn’t help you take charge of your health? We encourage effective communication with your provider to get the most out of your yearly visit.

Don't hesitate to use clear, specific language about your health concerns with your provider. You should also be honest about your lifestyle habits. Your primary care provider's goal is to provide judgment-free, whole-person health care so you can thrive.

It's a good idea to write down any health and wellness goals you make during your annual wellness visit. If your provider gives you any specific advice on achieving those goals, also note that. That way, you'll remember the journey you're on long after your yearly visit is over.

Next Steps

Schedule your annual wellness visit with your primary care physician. If you see an AdventHealth primary care physician, you may receive a courtesy call about scheduling your annual wellness visit. We are proactive about reaching out to ensure patients schedule their appointments. If you need a primary care physician, visit our primary care page or call AdventHealth NurseLine at Call913-676-7777.