Your Annual Physical Exam: 
What Happens and How to Prepare

Your appointment begins at the front desk where you’ll check in, present your insurance card and photo ID or driver's license and complete any necessary paperwork. This often includes a questionnaire about your current mental health status. Next, a Medical Assistant (MA) will bring you back to an exam room and check your vital signs and measure your height and weight.

At PCOM's Healthcare Centers, student doctors play an active role in your care, beginning with the initial health screening before you meet with the physician. A fourth year student in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program will talk with you about your medical and family history, as well as your diet, sleep habits, bathroom habits, sexual health and substance use. Together, these details help build a more complete picture of your health.

After gathering your medical history, the student doctor will perform a physical examination, which may include listening to your heart as well as examining your ears, eyes and throat. Afterward, the student doctor will review the findings with the physician.

To wrap up your appointment, you will then meet with your physician to discuss results, address any concerns and determine next steps. Depending on your needs, those next steps may include a new medication, lifestyle changes, blood work, additional testing or a referral to a specialist. This is also the time where you are encouraged to voice any health concerns or questions you have.

For patients managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, regular follow-up visits are especially important. “If someone is dealing with these issues, we typically would like to see them every three months,” Berry said. “We usually prescribe mediation, and if necessary, we'll map out a diet and exercise program, and monitor their levels to help them stay on track.”

How soon you return depends on your health needs and care plan, according to Berry. If no concerns are identified during your physical, your physician may recommend returning the following year for your next annual exam. She does, however, emphasize that you shouldn't wait until you feel sick to schedule your annual exam.

“It's important to get into a routine of having a physical exam every year,” she said. “These check-ups are an essential part of maintaining your overall health, and give you the opportunity to play an active role in your long term well-being.”