The Importance of an Annual Wellness Exam

By Andrew Wilson

When is the last time you had a wellness exam? If you can’t remember, it may be time to schedule one. While there are some similarities between a wellness exam and what patients commonly refer to as a “physical,” there are also significant differences.

“An annual wellness exam is more like a 50,000-foot view. It is a preventative exam where we might discuss how your health has been and, if it is good, how we can keep it that way through things like immunizations or scheduling for screening evaluations like a colonoscopy or mammogram,” says Nicholas DiTullio, M.D., an internal medicine physician who practices with St. Clair Medical Group. “A physical is looking at specific problems that a patient might be having, like their blood pressure or their blood sugar levels.”

Annual wellness visits are covered by Medicare without a copay, and almost all medical insurance plans will cover one wellness exam each year since these preventative exams can benefit patients of all ages.

Checking your height and weight, as well as reviewing all prescriptions, personal medical history and family history are common to both types of exams. During a wellness exam, however, a patient will be asked to complete a health risk assessment, which includes questions about their physical and emotional health.

“We also will review the functional status of our patients,” said Dr. DiTullio. “Are there any changes in the past year? If there are noticeable changes, why is that?”

For example, a patient might admit to having trouble going upstairs recently. Dr. DiTullio says that the physician would then follow up with questions to determine whether that change is due to the patient having difficulty walking or because they get short of breath doing so. The answer will determine what course of action or treatment plan might be needed.

In addition to assessing physical functioning, the physician will also be looking for signs of memory loss, dementia, depression, anxiety, or stress. “During a wellness exam, we are looking at the patient’s health as a whole and how to keep them healthy through preventative care,” said Dr. DiTullio.

That may include a discussion of risk factors – things such as diet, tobacco or alcohol use, and exercise – and any lifestyle modifications that might be recommended by the physician. The success of the exam, however, begins with honest conversation. How does a doctor gain a patient’s trust?

“It’s different for each patient,” said Dr. DiTullio. “Some of my patients have been with me for 20 years or more, so we’ve already established a level of trust. For new patients, it might take a little time.”

A discussion of any dietary supplements a patient is taking might also be appropriate.

“I try to assess whether a supplement might be helping, hurting, or having no effect,” said Dr. DiTullio. “Things like vitamins, Niacin, and Omega-3 have been shown to have a good effect on things like cholesterol. As long as they aren’t doing any harm, I have no problem with a patient taking them.”

All of this is fodder for conversation during the annual wellness exam. Regardless of how healthy a patient is – or thinks they are – a wellness exam can raise awareness of what it takes to remain in good health.

“It’s an assessment patients should do every year,” said Dr. DiTullio. “It’s a preventative assessment we can use to keep you in good health.”

Dr. DiTullio practices with St. Clair Medical Group Internal Medicine, one of St. Clair Health's premier community-based primary care medical practices. The team of physicians are board-certified to treat acute and chronic medical problems for patients 18 and older. They will discuss health care concerns and treatment plans to keep you healthy and can refer you to specialists when your care requires it. To make an appointment with Dr. DiTullio or one of his physician colleagues, please call (412) 221-3377 or visit stclair.org/internal medicine.