How Important Are Yearly Checkups With Your Physician?

Q: How important are yearly checkups with your physician?

A: Very! Your wellness visit is set aside for you and your doctor or primary care provider (PCP) to discuss measures that may be put in place to improve your health and decrease your chances of developing health problems. You and your doctor/PCP will review various factors that may pose a risk to your health. This will include a review of your family, personal and social histories. Using this information, your doctor/PCP has the opportunity to provide you with the tools and resources available to decrease your risk of developing diseases. Some diseases may be prevented by vaccines, changing your lifestyle, or using tests to detect diseases or precursors of disease before you have any symptoms.

To prepare for your checkup, make a record of aspects of your health history that you are likely to forget. (For example, do you recall the date of your last mammogram and where it was done?) If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to schedule your annual wellness appointment.

Donessa Fraser, M.D.

Family Medicine Physician at

Diagnostic & Medical Clinic | Northside Clinic

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Fraser by calling (251) 675-4733 or visiting online at diagnosticandmedical.com