Physicals

We are rethinking the way we do the "annual physical"

Traditionally many family doctors have scheduled their patients into the office once a year to do an "annual physical." However, there is no scientific evidence that this actually prevents disease or saves lives. In keeping with the most up to date medical literature and recommendations, we are moving away from the annual physical and moving towards the "Periodic Health Exam."

What is a Periodic Health Exam?

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It is an appointment that focuses on health prevention. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking have all been proven to improve your health. We will review appropriate cancer screening tests such as colon cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. Blood work (if required), immunizations and other relevant tests will also be reviewed. A full "head to toe exam" is not always necessary, so instead, your doctor will do a focused physical exam based on your current concerns and your health conditions.

How often should I get a Periodic Health Exam?

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Your doctor will make a recommendation specific to your current health, but in general we recommend a Periodic Health Exam about every three years. Of course, we still want you to book in for a regular appointment if at any time you are feeling unwell or have any acute concern. We want to see our patients with chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes as well as our elderly patients (age>65) more frequently. Talk to your doctor and find out what's right for you.

Want to learn more?

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The College of Family Physicians of Canada has made recommendations around the "Annual Physical" including the frequency and necessity of certain screening tests. Yearly blood work is not always required. Click here to find out more.

Choosing Wisely Canada is a campaign to help physicians and patients engage in conversations about unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures, and to help physicians and patients make smart and effective choices to ensure high-quality care. Click here to find out more.

Other Resources:

​Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care

Guidelines on Preventative Health Screening

Sample Screening Guidelines:

Cervical Screening

• For women aged < 20 we recommend not routinely screening for cervical cancer (Strong recommendation; high quality evidence)

• For women aged 20 to 24 we recommend not routinely screening for cervical cancer. (Weak recommendation; moderate quality evidence)

• For women aged 25 to 29 we recommend routine screening for cervical cancer every 3 years. (Weak recommendation; moderate quality evidence)

• For women aged 30 to 69 we recommend routine screening for cervical cancer every 3 years. (Strong recommendation; high quality evidence)

• For women aged ≥ 70 who have been adequately screened (i.e., 3 successive negative Pap tests in the last 10 years), we recommend that routine screening may cease. For women aged 70 or over who have not been adequately screened we recommend continued screening until 3 negative test results have been obtained. (Weak recommendation; low quality evidence)

Colon Cancer Screening

• We recommend screening adults aged 60 to 74 for CRC with FOBT (either gFOBT or FIT) every two years OR flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years. (Strong recommendation; moderate quality evidence)

• We recommend screening adults aged 50 to 59 for CRC with FOBT (either gFOBT or FIT) every two years OR flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years. (Weak recommendation; moderate quality evidence)

• We recommend not screening adults aged 75 years and over for CRC. (Weak recommendation; low quality evidence)

• We recommend not using colonoscopy as a screening test for CRC. (Weak recommendation; low quality evidence)

​Breast Cancer Screening

• For women aged 40 to 49 years, we recommend not screening with mammography; the decision to undergo screening is conditional on the relative value a woman places on possible benefits and harms from screening. (Conditional recommendation; low-certainty evidence)

• Some women aged 40 to 49 years may wish to be screened based on their values and preferences; in this circumstance, care providers should engage in shared decision-making with women who express an interest in being screened.

• For women aged 50 to 69 years, we recommend screening with mammography every two to three years; the decision to undergo screening is conditional on the relative value that a woman places on possible benefits and harms from screening. (Conditional recommendation; very low-certainty evidence)

• Care providers should engage in shared decision-making with women aged 50 to 69 as those who place a higher value on avoiding harms as compared to a modest absolute reduction in breast cancer mortality may choose to not undergo screening.

• For women aged 70 to 74 years, we recommend screening with mammography every two to three years; the decision to undergo screening is conditional on the relative value that a woman places on possible benefits and harms from screening. (Conditional recommendation; very low-certainty evidence)

• Care providers should engage in shared decision-making with women aged 70 to 74 as those who place a higher value on avoiding harms as compared to a modest absolute reduction in breast cancer mortality may choose to not undergo screening.