You sit on the paper-covered table for twenty minutes. The doctor walks in, glances at a screen, asks if anything is new, checks your blood pressure, and is reaching for the door handle before you remember the question you came to ask.
That rushed feeling is common, and there is data behind it. A 2021 study published in the journal Medical Care found that the average primary care exam lasts about 18 minutes. For an annual physical, which is supposed to cover your whole health picture, that is not much room. It is also one of the main reasons people start searching for a “concierge doctor near me.”
What should an annual physical actually cover?
A thorough annual physical should cover your current health, your risks for the years ahead, and the preventive screenings that are due for your age and history.
That usually includes a review of your medications and supplements, a physical exam, blood pressure and weight, and a conversation about sleep, stress, diet, and activity. It should also include lab work that fits your situation, such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and other markers your doctor recommends based on your history.
Then there is the part that often gets skipped when time is short: planning. Which screenings are coming up? Which ones are overdue? What changed since last year that deserves a closer look?
That conversation is where prevention actually happens, and it is the first thing to get squeezed out of a 15-minute visit.
Why do so many physicals feel rushed?
Many physicals feel rushed because traditional practices often carry very large patient panels, and the schedule is built around seeing as many people as possible in a day.
The same Medical Care study found that visits ran over their scheduled time on average. Doctors in that setting are working hard inside a system that leaves very little slack. When the clock is tight, questions get shorter, and patients often leave with concerns they never brought up.
You have probably felt this yourself. You save up three questions for your physical, ask one, and decide the other two can wait until next year.
How does a concierge physical work differently?
A concierge physical works differently because your doctor has a smaller number of patients and more time to spend with each one.
At SC My Care, concierge membership includes same-day appointments, extended appointments, flexible scheduling, and telehealth. The practice keeps a limited patient roster so Dr. Cooper and the team can give each person real attention instead of watching the clock.
In practice, an unhurried physical gives you time to:
- Walk through your family history in detail, including cancers and heart disease
- Talk through every medication and supplement you take
- Review lab results together and ask what they mean for you
- Build a screening schedule for the next few years
- Raise the questions you might otherwise save for next time
That extra time also makes follow-up easier. If something on your labs needs another look, you are talking with a team that already knows your history.
When should women schedule a mammogram?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening mammograms every two years for women ages 40 to 74, according to its 2024 breast cancer screening recommendation.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it is a good reminder to check where you are on that schedule. Your annual physical is the right place to have that conversation.
Your personal risk may change the plan. A family history of breast or ovarian cancer, certain genetic findings, dense breast tissue, or a previous abnormal result can all affect when screening should start and how often it happens. Those details take time to talk through, and they are easy to lose in a short visit.
A few things worth bringing up at your physical:
- Any changes you have noticed, such as a lump, skin changes, or nipple discharge
- Your family history on both sides
- Whether your risk factors call for earlier or additional screening
If you notice a change in your breast between visits, do not wait for your next physical. Call your doctor and get it checked.
How do you make the most of your annual physical?
You make the most of your annual physical by preparing a short list before you go and making sure the visit leaves enough time to get through it.
Write down your questions in order of importance. Bring a current list of medications and doses. Gather any recent results from specialists. If you have had new symptoms, note when they started and how often they happen.
Most of all, choose a setting where those questions actually get answered. A physical should leave you with a clear picture of your health and a plan for the year ahead.
If you are in Lexington, Columbia, or the surrounding Midlands and want an annual physical with time built in, contact SC My Care to ask about concierge membership and schedule your visit.