It’s time to re-tool the annual exam: Here’s how
Capitalize on patients’ habit of visiting your office once a year to implement appropriate services
IN THIS ARTICLE
Thyroid. Because thyroid abnormalities are more common in women and because they may have an impact on the regularity of the menstrual cycle and on weight and hair loss, it seems sensible and appropriate to screen on a selected basis with a test of thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Incontinence. You should definitely include this problem in the review-of-systems questionnaire. Doing so will not only help the patient identify an embarrassing problem that she may be reluctant to bring up, but will also help drive additional services in your practice—such as urodynamic evaluation and surgery.
Build a relationship
The annual visit should reinforce the physician–patient relationship by educating women about the appropriate screening tests and supporting them as active participants in their health care. Take a consistent, balanced approach that complies with guidelines but that also addresses the patient’s concerns by incorporating education and appropriate interventions.
