Do annual physicals do more harm than good?

Annual Physicals: Necessary or Not? #

One-third of Americans undergo the annual physical, the most common reason for doctor visits. However, some doctors argue that these check-ups are unnecessary and can be even harmful. They claim that physicals for healthy individuals often lead to unnecessary tests and visits that do not effectively prevent disease. On the other hand, proponents argue that the annual physical is an opportunity to build trust between doctors and patients. They suggest utilizing registered nurses and physician assistants to handle testing so that primary doctors can focus on providing comprehensive care. Despite the disagreement, most agree that the physical needs an upgrade and should be more personalized based on individual health needs.