Physical

I have not posted in a few days as I am in the somewhat stressful process of transitioning back to school after the winter break for my second-to-last semester as an undergraduate.

Like many college students, I utilized the break to schedule all those appointments that I procrastinate throughout the year. One of these was a routine physical with a family practice physician whom I had never gone to before. Since it is relevant to the current state of health care and certainly of note to future physicians (who are hopefully reading this blog!), I think my experience is worth sharing...

I will look over the unprofessional, even insulting comments and demeanor of the physician for now and focus on my biggest problem with this appointment. Currently, our country is in the midst of a major push towards a more preventive approach to medicine; this could promote a healthier nation and (in theory) reduce the soaring costs of health insurance.

Therefore, I expected that my proactive check-up as a college student who has not been to the doctor in about three years would be met with enthusiasm. Further, I assumed that my questions for the physician would be commended since it would show that I am an active participant in my own health. Rather, my doctor could not seem to fathom why I had come in to the office. He kept asking "so wait, nothing is wrong? You're just here for a physical??" My question regarding whether he opted for my cholesterol to be checked as part of my blood work was met with a highly sarcastic "uh, yes...anything else I missed?"

Perhaps the doctor was having an off day (something that as a future physician I would like to be sympathetic to) or maybe he had not seen this recent commercial from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ):

Patient Involvement - Cell Phone :30 @ Yahoo! Video

My concern is that not only are many patients unprepared to become fully active members of their own health care, but that many physicians are unwilling to let them. My decision to seek a routine physical exam brings money into the physician's practice and could potentially reduce insurance costs if a problem is detected in its early stages. Not to mention that I will be healthier. That should be a good thing.