Going to the doctor when you’re not sick, just to make sure your body is functioning as it should be, is top-notch, award-worthy adulting behavior. If you’re scheduling your yearly physical and going without whining or resisting, we applaud you.
Some of us, however, are more “every couple of years” types of people who fear the needle stick and uncomfortable conversations — but still know how important it is to take a good, hard look at yourself every once in a while. Everyone has a different level of anxiety around going to the doctor, and that’s totally understandable.
Regardless of when you get around to that wellness check, there are a few insider tips for making it as fruitful as possible. Raj Punjabi-Johnson and Noah Michelson, co-hosts of HuffPost’s “Am I Doing It Wrong?” podcast, shared expert advice from Dr. Milna Rufin, an internist at NYU Langone Hospital and the clinic site director of their residency program.
Pre-Appointment Homework: Family Medical History
Dr. Rufin emphasizes the importance of preparing before your visit. “There’s a little bit of homework that really helps to do in the weeks before going to your doctor for your annual wellness check. Talk to your family members,” she said. This includes parents, siblings (even half-siblings), your parents’ siblings, and your grandparents. “Get updates on what their medical issues are or were.”
Even if your grandparents are no longer living, knowing which ailments they experienced in their 30s and 40s can be very helpful. “If you have the opportunity to ask your parents, if you have a relationship with them where you can ask things like that, it’d be super helpful to have the family medical history,” Rufin added.
Genetic indicators are crucial. “I am looking at that heavily and I often want to know what ages that people had these things,” she said. Key areas include cancer history, specifically how old relatives were when diagnosed. For example, if a father had prostate cancer at 70, it’s less concerning than if he had it at 35. Cardiac disease is another focus: she wants to know about heart attacks, strokes, or any heart problems. Additionally, diabetes and cholesterol issues in the family can shape preventive care.
Making the Most of Your Appointment
During the episode, the hosts also discuss which labs you might want to request, the importance of being brutally honest about your vices, and whether you should opt for full-body scans promoted on TikTok. The key is to foster a trusting relationship with your physician, which can reduce anxiety and make yearly physicals feel more natural.
Dr. Rufin notes that the 30-minute appointment can be transformative with proper preparation. “That’s the homework I love when patients have, beforehand,” she said.
For more tips, listen to the full episode of “Am I Doing It Wrong?” on your preferred podcast platform. Subscribe to catch the new third season, which covers topics like apologizing, credit card debt, online dating, anxiety, shopping, dental care, and more.
