This is the fifth message in our six part Magenta Health Fall Update series. These are short but important updates to help us provide you with <Better Care/>. In this update, we look at the common belief that everyone needs a yearly physical, and why the truth is different for each patient.
Do you need an annual physical?
It’s a common belief that everyone needs a physical every year. The truth is: that’s not always necessary.
According to Choosing Wisely Canada, otherwise healthy adults do not require regular physicals, and these check-ups can occasionally do more harm than good.
Search for “adult health exam” on your physician’s homepage to see whether a physical is recommended this year and what preventive care may be more appropriate for you (you’ll need to first enter your health card number when using this link).
Preventive care still matters
Even if you don’t need a “full physical” every year, it’s important to:
Stay up to date with recommended immunizations and screening tests
Keep a trusted family physician who knows your health history
Book an appointment if you have new symptoms, concerns, or risk factors*
* For specific symptoms: searching on your physician’s homepage will guide you to the right type of appointment. When in doubt, we recommend booking an in-person regular or urgent appointment so any needed assessment can be done promptly, without multiple visits.
Your Magenta Health care team is always here to guide you. If you’re unsure whether you need a physical this year, check your physician’s homepage or book an appointment to discuss your needs.
How this helps deliver <Better Care/>
Preventive care is most effective when it’s personalized and tracked. Our physicians use an open-source electronic medical record (EMR) system to manage test results, reminders, and follow-ups. Improving this shared system means safer, more reliable care not only at Magenta Health, but across clinics in Canada that use the same platform.
If you’d like to support these improvements, learn more or contribute monthly at: www.magentahealth.ca/better-care-2.
Thank you for staying proactive about your health: it’s the foundation of preventive care.