Tag Archives: general-and-family-care

7 Ways to Prepare for Your Annual Physical

Your annual check-up is for you. Here’s how to make it count.

Your annual physical is one of the best times to focus on your long-term health. Unlike sudden illnesses, this visit is entirely about your health goals, concerns, and preventative measures. It’s a chance to check in on your overall well-being, catch potential issues early, and make a plan to help you stay healthy and active for years to come. Keep in mind that your physical is a wellness-focused visit. If you’re dealing with new or urgent symptoms, it’s best to schedule a separate appointment so your provider can give it the full attention it needs. 

A little preparation can go a long way in helping your provider see the full picture of your health and make the most of this once-a-year opportunity. Start with these simple steps: 

  • Bring your questions and health history. Be sure to write down any and all symptoms, lifestyle changes, concerns, or questions ahead of time so you don’t forget to mention them. Make note of your family health history, and if you see specialists, ask them to send over recent records so your provider has access.
  • Review your medications and pharmacy information. Bring a list, or the actual bottles, of all prescription medications, supplements, or products you take. Know your preferred pharmacy in case any prescriptions need to be sent after your visit.
  • Know your numbers. If you’ve recently had lab work done or are tracking blood pressure or glucose at home, bring those recent readings with you.
  • Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and calendar. We’ll need to verify your information and take a photo for your MyChart account. Having your calendar handy makes it easy to schedule any follow-up appointments on the spot.
  • Check what your insurance covers. Health insurance covers different parts of a physical depending on your plan. Don’t hesitate to ask about billing or why certain services might generate a separate charge. Learn more here.
  • Ask if you need to fast. Some lab tests, like glucose or cholesterol, require you to avoid food or even caffeine for several hours beforehand. Be sure to check if you need to fast and if so, when to stop eating.
  • Be honest. Your MPCP physician is here to help, not judge. Be open about habits like smoking, alcohol use, diet, and exercise so your doctor can give you the best, most accurate care.

A little preparation and thought into your health goals or concerns can make your visit more productive and more personal. 

Need to schedule your next annual physical? Call your MPCP office today.

Board Certified for Better Care

By: Michael Riebman, MD and MPCP President

If you look at the online profiles of our doctors, you’ll see they are “board certified” in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Cardiology.  This is an important distinction for physicians, and it gives you additional assurance that you and your family are receiving the best possible care.

A little background: To practice medicine, doctors must undergo years of rigorous training, including a premedical college degree, a degree from a medical school, and up to five years of full-time experience in a residency training program of their chosen specialty. Only after completing all these requirements are they able to practice medicine in the community.

Once they complete their specialty residency program, physicians can demonstrate extra expertise in their chosen medical specialty by earning a certification through one of the 24 accrediting organizations belonging to the American Board of Medical Specialties.  Certification means a doctor has acquired the extra knowledge and experience to practice a medical specialty, such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Cardiology.

Doctors earn this board certification by passing an examination administered by the member board in their specialty. The exams assess medical knowledge and clinical judgment, and include real-life situations that demonstrate a physician’s knowledge of the latest medical practices.

Medical boards issue time-limited certifications. Their certifications last for up to 10 years, but doctors have to complete additional work between these re-certifications, known as continuing medical education, such as reviewing their performance on patient care and self-assessing their knowledge of new medical developments.

In short, the re-certification program provides doctors a structured approach to improving the effectiveness of their performance in treating patients. It also assures patients that their doctors remain experts in their fields.

MPCP requires all of our doctors to be board certified. This gives our patients the added assurance they’re getting the highest level of care, and that our physicians are committed to keeping their skills sharp and up to date.

 

Michael Riebman, M.D.Dr. Riebman is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is the current president of Maryland Primary Care Physicians. He sees patients in MPCP’s Annapolis office.

Why You Need a Checkup (Even If You Feel Fine)

By: Manuel Skow, P.A.

If you feel okay, you don’t need to see the doctor, right?

Wrong. An annual checkup with your primary care doctor should be part of your regular health routine, just like exercise. Here are five good reasons to schedule a checkup, even if you feel fine.

1. Staying healthy

Keeping up to date with vaccinations and screenings is basic to good health. Vaccinations can prevent some serious diseases, such as measles, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, German measles, mumps, tetanus, rotavirus, the flu and even cervical cancer. And screening tests are done to detect potential diseases in people who do not have any symptoms, leading to the early identification of serious conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancer. Early detection is important because it provides the best opportunity for a cure.

2. Knowing your numbers

Do you know your numbers? They include:

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol level
  • Blood sugar level
  • Body mass index

High blood pressure and blood sugar, and unhealthy weight and cholesterol, greatly increase your risk for heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.  Also, if you have prediabetes or diabetes, you must carefully monitor your number to control the disease and improve the quality of your health.

Your doctor can help you learn your numbers and take steps to keep them in a healthy range.

3. Creating a medical record

Annual visits to the doctor are a chance to update your personal medical record. This record helps your doctor keep tabs on your health and monitor any issues you have.  Also, if you are hospitalized in an emergency, having access to your medical records can reduce unnecessary testing, prevent allergic reactions, and help you get the best care possible.

4. Building a doctor-patient relationship

This relationship doesn’t just happen. It takes several visits for your doctor to really understand you, and for you to feel comfortable with your doctor. A good relationship is important because it can affect any treatment you receive, such as whether you can take certain medications.

5. Low-cost prevention

Most health insurance covers an annual checkup, including lab tests. There may be a small co-pay, but this is usually minimal. For one low fee, your doctor can assess your health, discuss your needs and concerns, and help you head off potentially serious health issues.

Has it been more than a year since your last checkup? Call your MPCP office today to set one up and get started on your healthier future.

 

Manuel Skow, PAManuel Skow, Physician Assistant, received his Master of Science/Physician Assistant degree from St. Francis University, and completed his Physician Assistant Preceptorships in Primary Care at the U. S. Naval Academy Brigade Clinic and Internal Medicine/Cardiology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He sees patients in MPCP’s Glen Burnie office.