It is important to see your family doctor when you are a young adult.This is a chance to review your general health, to receive any screening tests or vaccinations as needed, and to handle any medical concerns that may come up so that they can be treated sooner rather than later, which leads to better health outcomes overall.Preparing for the appointment ahead of time, knowing what to expect, and expressing any concerns to your doctor are some of the things you can do to maximize the effectiveness of your routine checkup.
One of the most important things to look into as a young adult is whether or not you have health insurance.Some young people can remain on their parents' health insurance plans until the age of 26 depending on who is the provider of their parent's insurance.To find out if you have health insurance, ask a parent, check with your school, or check your former insurer's website.If you don't currently have coverage, you need to find out if you can get some to help with the costs of your medical visits and medications.If you already have a relationship with a healthcare provider, such as a family doctor, you can ask about common insurance plans that his or her patients have, as well as which health insurance he or she recommends for you.If you don't have health insurance, you should consult the doctors you choose to see to make sure that the coverage you purchase will be the most effective for you.Coverage in the United States can be purchased through marketplace from November 1st of the year prior to it taking effect (November 1, 2015, to purchase insurance for 2016) all the way through to January 31st.You will need to wait until the following year to purchase health insurance if you miss the registration period.There is a penalty fee for not being insured.The Medicaid Program in the United States may be an option for people with low incomes.Universal healthcare coverage may be offered by other countries.You may not need health insurance in many other countries.
Step 2: There is a doctor in your area.
When young people move away from their hometown, finding a new family doctor is a challenge.This happens when young adults go away to college.It can be difficult to find a doctor in a new town if there is a shortage of doctors in the area.Find a family doctor first in order to find a new doctor.If you need specialist care, your family doctor can refer you to specialists, which is usually your gateway into the healthcare system.Depending on where you live, a general doctor is a good place to begin.If you have a family doctor in the area, ask them if you can get a referral.Family doctors will take members of the same families that they already treat, even if they are not accepting new patients from the general population, so it's worth looking into.You can find a list of family physicians in your area on the internet.The local physician licensing board can often provide a list of family doctors in the area.If you can't get routine care from a family physician, use walk-in clinics.It's important not to put your healthcare on hold while you look for a family doctor.You can use a walk-in clinic if you can't find a doctor who will care for you.Go to your insurance provider's website.There is a list of providers on the websites of most insurance companies.You can use your zip code or post code to find a doctor.
Step 3: When is the right time to have your next checkup?
There are different recommendations as to when you should get your regular checkup.For young adults, every one to five years is sufficient.You should see your doctor more often if you need a refill on a prescription, have an ongoing medical condition, or have worrisome symptoms.Blood pressure checks for healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 39 years old should be done once every three to five years.Patients who are overweight, African American or have a family history of hypertension should have their blood pressure checked every year.If the levels are normal starting at age 35 for men and 45 for women, then they should be every one to two years.Every visit to the doctor should include weight and body mass index.If you are obese, you will need to have a hemoglobin A1C test every three to five years.Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap smear every three years.Women between the ages of 30 and 65 years only need to have a Pap and a test once every five years.You should have an HIV test in your lifetime.If you engage in certain behaviors that increase your risk, such as having sex with someone who is HIV positive, you may need to get tested more often.
Step 4: Make an appointment.
Once you have found a physician in your area who is willing to take on your care, the next step is to call to make an appointment.Depending on how busy the doctor is, the appointment will usually be scheduled in weeks to months following your call.If you have more urgent issues, your doctor will see you sooner.When you call to make your appointment, it is a good idea to inquire about your insurance coverage and copays.Knowing this information before the appointment prevents you from getting a bill that you didn't expect.
Step 5: Your doctor will need your medical information.
It's important that your doctor has a full list of any ongoing health concerns or past serious health issues you have encountered, such as episodes requiring hospitalization, past surgeries, and/or other major health problems that you've faced in your life.If you see your regular family doctor, he or she may already know about your medical history.If you are seeing a new doctor, it's helpful to have this information with you.If you have a complicated past medical history, it is advisable to have your previous medical records sent to your new doctor's office before your appointment.If you have been hospitalized many times, have had complex surgeries, or have a chronic condition, then you should send your medical records to your new doctor.It is important to have a list of all the medications that you are taking, as well as the reason for them.One of the key jobs of a family doctor is medication management, so having this information available upfront can make this task much easier.If you need to refill your prescriptions, you should note any medications that are running low on.You don't want to forget this at your checkup.
Step 6: You should be prepared to discuss your lifestyle choices.
In order to do a full and thorough review of your overall health, your doctor will need to ask you questions about your lifestyle.You should be prepared to discuss your sexual choices, diet, exercise, and use of illegal substances.Answering these questions honestly will allow your doctor to assess your risk for certain health concerns associated with your lifestyle choices.Doctors are trained to give a safe and non-judgmental space so that you feel comfortable sharing personal information in an honest and open way.
Step 7: If you have a new family history of disease, tell it.
A detailed family history is required by your doctor in order to assess your risk for diseases.If you see the same doctor frequently, he or she will have notes on your family history.If any of your family members have had recent health concerns, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, or cancer, it is important to bring this up at your checkup and to let your doctor know.The way that your doctor approaches your health checkup may be influenced by your family's history of diseases.It's important to share this information with your doctor.If you have a family history of cancer, you may be eligible for additional testing such as genetic testing, which is another reason to share your family health history with your doctor.
Step 8: Take note of any concerns you have about this visit.
As you prepare for your checkup, be sure to write down any unusual symptoms you have been experiencing.Take note of any new developments in chronic health conditions that you may be suffering from.If you think your concerns are trivial, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor.It is your doctor's job to address them, and anything that is causing you concern is worth exploring with him.It can bring you peace of mind to talk about it if it is not serious.Use your appointment to ask questions about your health, medical diagnoses, and treatment plans.
Step 9: Discuss the plan for the appointment and any new concerns.
It is important to have a plan in place at the beginning of your appointment with your doctor because appointments take place with a limited time frame.Inform your doctor about any new concerns you would like to address right away, so that he or she can account for that.Your doctor can tell you if there is time to cover all of your concerns in one appointment or if a second appointment is necessary.If you want to cover each issue thoroughly, you should not try to cram them all in one appointment.
Step 10: You are due for a general screening or vaccinations.
Your checkup is a chance to get screening tests and vaccinations that you are due for.Getting a Pap test if you are a woman, getting a blood pressure check, and getting the yearly flu vaccine are things to ask your doctor about.Depending on your health history, you may be due for routine blood tests and other tests related to specific illnesses.
Step 11: You should have a physical exam.
Young adults have a lower chance of having serious health concerns than older adults, so there are usually very few abnormal things found on a physical exam.Your doctor will likely do a screening physical exam, which will include examining your head and neck, listening to your heart and lungs, feeling your abdomen, and checking all of your vital signs, just to be sure that no abnormality are detected.Your doctor will likely look at the affected area of your body if you have ongoing health concerns.He or she may order more tests, such as an x-ray, aCT Scan, or an ultrasound.
Step 12: Discuss any changes to your health management.
Your doctor will end the appointment by summing up his or her thoughts about your health after you have had a physical exam, received any routine screenings, and/or vaccinations.Changes to your treatment plan will be looked at by your doctor.Any additional investigative tests that may need to be performed will be discussed by him or her.Your doctor will let you know when you can return.Any specialist appointments can be completed at this time.
Step 13: If you have a problem, don't wait for your checkup.
It is a good idea to book an appointment with your family doctor sooner rather than later if you have any health concerns.If you have a reason to be concerned about your health, you should not wait to book an appointment.This way, if you have a medical condition, it can be addressed and treated as early as possible, which leads to the best outcome.If it turns out not to be a serious medical issue, seeing your doctor can give you some peace of mind.
Step 14: If you have a severe problem, go to the emergency department.
Do not wait to book an appointment with your family doctor if you have severe symptoms, such as severe pain, nausea and vomiting, or are otherwise unwell.Proceed to the emergency room for prompt medical care.
Step 15: For ongoing health concerns, see your doctor more often.
You will need to see your doctor more frequently if you have health concerns.Your doctor will tell you when he or she would like to see you.Monitoring for any progression of symptoms and getting repeat blood tests are some of the reasons for more frequent appointments.