Individual HealthCare / Checkups

[Truth]

One of my 2008 New Year's Resolutions is to attempt to take better care of myself, including more frequent physicals and medical check-ups. That said, I've never been the type of person to visit a doctor unless I am truly sick, and I've been quite fortunate in that sense as my last doctor-worthy "cold" was at least 10 years ago. I have had semi-regular blood pressure and cholestoral check-ups as administered by my employer at sponsored Health Fairs, and those check out fine. I am 28 years old, male, and as far as I know, in excellent health.

Having spent the bulk of my post-Duke time living in various neighborhoods in NYC, I never really established a "family" or "neighborhood" doctor, so I am not sure where to start. I'd feel a bit uneasy simply plucking a doctor from my health insurance listing and asking him to give me "the works." Additionally, I'd like to be substantially more informed about any recommended procedures, what to expect, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should start to fulfill this Resolution? I'm particularly interested in establishing a comprehensive list of all pertinent tests / checkups / procedures that I should have done, as well as any advice on locations (in NYC or surroundings areas) that you would recommend for obtaining these services.

[allenmurray]

Given your age, "the works" won't amount to a whole lot. The things you've already done through your employer (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) and just a general look under the hood is all most docs are going to think necessary for a 28 year old male. Management of any chronic conditions (overweight, family istory of diabetes, heart trouble, etc.) will be next. Making sure you are up-to-date on vaccinations, and checking/teaching you how to check for things like testicular cancer and other things that are more common to twenty-somethings than to old guys like me will probably be included. My own doc, who I think very highly of and who does a great job with preventative medicine, didn't start with full blown blood work, ekgs, prostate and psa, etc. until I was 40.

As for finding a doctor? Ask your frineds and co-workers. Then decide what is important to you (size of practice, after-hours availability, specialty of the doc, etc.). Then interview the doctor. That's right, interview him/her. Make sure that thier philosophy and personality match with you. If they don't, you won't go regularly, and therefore having a regular doc will be worthless.

[mike88]

As a general internist, I get questions like this about preventive care for yourng men pretty frequently. I would second allenmurray- the main issues in your 20's and 30's are making sure you don't have particularly high risk for heart disease (smoking cessation, blood pressure, cholesterol) and preventing (or treating) depression, substance abuse, and violence-related injuries.

The main national organization charged with setting preventive care recommendations is the US Preventive Services Task Force. Their recommendations can be found at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstfix.htm#Recommendations

Testicular cancer screening is not currently recommended. The decision about whether to have PSA testing can probably occur closer to 50 (the good news is we will probably have better evidence about whether it is effective by then) unless you are at particularly high risk.

All that said, I think it is really helpful to have a physician so that if you do have a problem occur, you have someone to call or see.

[Truth]

First, thanks to Allen and Mike for their quick responses.

Their responses withstanding, I still feel like I am lacking a comprehensive answer. Is the DBR Off-Topic community really in consensus that a young (< 30 year-old) male is in no need of any regular medical examinations outside of annual blood pressure / cholesterol assessments?

[rthomas]

First, thanks to Allen and Mike for their quick responses.

Their responses withstanding, I still feel like I am lacking a comprehensive answer. Is the DBR Off-Topic community really in consensus that a young (< 30 year-old) male is in no need of any regular medical examinations outside of annual blood pressure / cholesterol assessments?

Are you overweight? Do you exercise? If you are <30, said no to the first question and yes to the second. You are probably fine.

Do you use a dentist? Check your eyes? If you said yes, then you are probably ok.

Do you drink alot of alcohol? Have bad hangovers? Do drugs habitually? If you said no to these three, you are probably ok.

Do you feel good about life? Happy? Have a good sex life? If you said yes to these, you are ok.

Seriously, I just saved you a bunch of money.

[hurleyfor3]

First, thanks to Allen and Mike for their quick responses.

Their responses withstanding, I still feel like I am lacking a comprehensive answer. Is the DBR Off-Topic community really in consensus that a young (< 30 year-old) male is in no need of any regular medical examinations outside of annual blood pressure / cholesterol assessments?

The last time I saw a doctor (M.D.) was I think 1994, and it was a dermatologist. The last time I went to a family-care physician was longer ago than that still. I'm not dead yet.

[Indoor66]

The last time I saw a doctor (M.D.) was I think 1994, and it was a dermatologist. The last time I went to a family-care physician was longer ago than that still. I'm not dead yet.

It seems to me that with the level of concern you express, you might be well served by having a complete physical and feeling more comfortable having the results known to you. Just my thought....:)

[allenmurray]

First, thanks to Allen and Mike for their quick responses.

Their responses withstanding, I still feel like I am lacking a comprehensive answer. Is the DBR Off-Topic community really in consensus that a young (< 30 year-old) male is in no need of any regular medical examinations outside of annual blood pressure / cholesterol assessments?


The recommendations of most docs would be a complete physical every 3 years and b.p. and cholesterol screening annually. You would only need other things if family history issues dictated it. I think one sign of a good doc for someone your age is the quality of the family history they take.

Most importantly, wear your seat belt. The family physician I've gone to for years always ends any visit, whether routine or because I'm sick, either with a reminder to wear my seat belt or by asking me if I always wear my seat belt. Once I asked her why she did that, and her response was to say that at my age (I was in my early 30s at the time) the most likely way I would ever end up in a hospital was by being in an auto accident.