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Staying Healthy
What is an annual wellness visit?
- By Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
On call
Q. I used to get a physical every year or two. But now my doctor’s office says I should have an annual wellness visit instead. What’s the difference?
A. In the past, a routine, general check-up involved your doctor asking how you felt and if anything bothered you, followed by a physical exam and a standard set of blood and urine tests. But it was only a concept, as the details of what constituted a routine visit were up to the doctor.
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About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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