Whether it was pandemic related, or you just fell behind on your appointments, it may be time to revisit those overdue doctor appointments. There were many inheritors who chose to avoid visiting the doctor during the pandemic out of an abundance of caution. In other cases, some did not have a choice, as doctors’ offices cancelled or rescheduled appointments when they were overrun and understaffed. Now is the time to assess and decide which doctors to visit first, if there are any screenings you should prioritize, and/or addressing any health problems that developed from the stressful last year and a half, like trouble sleeping or lack of physical activity.
So, how should you begin?
Start with a wellness check. It’s the simplest, and an important first step in evaluating your health. A check-in with your primary-care doctor can help you to understand where you should go from here. Do you need any screenings? Should you schedule any specialist appointments? Have you developed any new health situations that should be addressed? Useful information to share with your doctor may reside in the information your devices have captured of your sleep and overall fitness.
Next, you may ask about screenings or health guidelines that have changed since your last visit. People as young as 45 should be screened for colon and rectal cancer, which was once benchmarked at 50 years old. Cigarette smokers are encouraged, now more than ever, to have CT scans of their lungs for cancer. Overall, doctor’s offices have seen almost 60% fewer cancer exams since the pandemic began.
If you’re still unable or unwilling to head into the doctor’s office, you should see if you can schedule a virtual appointment. Of course, there are some things you need to go into an office in person for, like a dental cleaning or an exam. If the appointment does not require a physical examination, then you may want to connect virtually with your doctor, which can allow you to recoup more of your time.
Finally, assume that everyone is trying to schedule a doctor’s appointment, so you should book one as soon as possible. Fortunately, our inheritor clients can often afford concierge doctors, while many other medical practices are booked up for months. Regardless, it may be wise to get yourself on the calendar sooner rather than later!