What is Done During a Wellness Visit
A wellness visit is a comprehensive preventive care appointment that focuses on assessing your current health status, identifying risk factors, and developing a personalized prevention plan to improve your health outcomes and quality of life. 1
Core Components of a Wellness Visit
Medical Assessment
- Complete review of medical history and current health status
- Physical examination focusing on vital signs, weight, and BMI
- Review of all current medications and supplements
- Screening for new or worsening symptoms 1
- Assessment of chronic condition management 1
Preventive Screenings
- Age-appropriate cancer screenings
- Cardiovascular risk assessment (blood pressure, cholesterol)
- Diabetes screening (fasting blood glucose)
- Immunization status review and updates 1
- Screening for sexually transmitted infections when indicated 1
Functional Assessment
- Evaluation of ability to perform daily tasks and household chores
- Assessment of physical activity levels
- Screening for balance issues, falls risk, or mobility concerns
- Evaluation of nutritional status and dietary patterns 1
Behavioral and Mental Health
- Screening for depression and anxiety
- Assessment of sleep quality
- Evaluation of alcohol, tobacco, and substance use
- Screening for intimate partner violence when appropriate 1
- Assessment of stress levels and coping mechanisms 1
Personalized Prevention Planning
Goal Setting
- Discussion of patient's health priorities and concerns
- Development of specific, achievable health goals
- Creation of a written prevention plan with clear action steps 1
Health Education and Counseling
- Lifestyle modification guidance (diet, exercise, stress management)
- Education about chronic disease management
- Counseling on specific risk factors identified during assessment 1
- Discussion of reproductive planning when applicable 1
Referrals and Resources
- Referrals to specialists based on identified needs
- Connection to community resources for health promotion
- Recommendations for health education programs 1
- Consideration of cardiac rehabilitation programs if indicated 1
Documentation and Follow-Up
- Complete documentation of all assessments and recommendations
- Development of a timeline for follow-up on identified issues
- Scheduling of appropriate follow-up appointments 2
Benefits of Wellness Visits
Research shows that wellness visits lead to:
- Identification of previously unrecognized diagnoses (average 0.4 new diagnoses per visit) 2
- Delivery of recommended preventive services (patients receive approximately 80% of recommended services) 2
- Improved patient-provider communication about health goals 3
- Enhanced coordination of care across providers 3
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Focusing too much on the computer screen instead of the patient - Make eye contact and engage in brief small talk to establish rapport 3
- Failing to address emotional aspects of health - Acknowledge the psychological impact of health conditions 3
- Not allowing sufficient time for patient concerns - Invite patients to share their goals and preferences 1, 3
- Overlooking social determinants of health - Assess factors like transportation access, financial concerns, and social support 1
- Missing opportunities for preventive care - Even if patients are current on most screenings, very few (0.5%) are up-to-date on all recommended preventive services 2
Wellness visits represent a valuable opportunity to comprehensively address preventive health needs and develop personalized strategies to improve health outcomes and quality of life.