From the Guidelines
At a 6-8 week check-up, patients should undergo a comprehensive assessment, including physical examination, review of medical history, and laboratory tests, to identify and manage any potential health issues, with a focus on cardiovascular health, diabetes management, and overall well-being, as recommended by the American Heart Association 1. The assessment should include a review of the patient's medical history, including any pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, and any medications they are currently taking.
- Physical examination should assess vital signs, including blood pressure, and evaluate any signs or symptoms of complications related to diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
- Laboratory tests should include fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for patients with diabetes, as well as lipid profiles and other relevant tests to assess cardiovascular risk.
- Patients with diabetes should receive education on self-monitoring of blood sugar levels, recognition of signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and management of their condition, including dietary counseling and exercise recommendations 1.
- Interventions should be tailored to the individual patient's needs, with a focus on preventing future health complications and improving overall quality of life.
- The American Heart Association recommends that patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors undergo regular follow-up assessments, including history and physical exam, CV medication history, and laboratory tests, such as serum creatinine, BUN, and electrolytes, as well as NT-proBNP for patients with heart failure 1.
- Additionally, patients with respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or interstitial lung disease (ILD), may require regular reviews of their oxygen therapy, including assessment of their clinical status and adjustment of their oxygen flow rates as needed 1.
From the Research
Recommended Assessments and Interventions
At a 6-8 week check-up, the following assessments and interventions are recommended:
- Counselling, immunisation, and physical examination according to the patient's age and gender 2
- Screening for chronic diseases, such as depression and hypertension 3
- Controlling risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol 3
- Clinical preventive service uptake, such as colorectal and cervical cancer screening 3
- Improvements in patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life and self-rated health 3
Benefits of General Health Checks
General health checks are associated with:
- Increased detection of chronic diseases 3
- Moderate improvements in controlling risk factors 3
- Increased clinical preventive service uptake 3
- Improvements in patient-reported outcomes 3
- Increased physical activity and diet 3
Importance of Regular Health Check-Ups
Regular health check-ups are crucial for:
- Early intervention and prevention of diseases 4, 2
- Identifying risk factors and early signs of disease 2
- Preventing future illness 2
- Reducing the risk of advanced cancer diagnosis 5
Target Population
Primary care teams may reasonably offer general health checks, especially for groups at: