Choosing a Primary Health Care Provider:
Check-Ups
 Who are Providers? |
 Check-Ups |
| How to Find a Provider |
Confidentiality |
| Health Plans |
Reproductive Health |
| Providers' Qualifications |
Don't Like Your Provider? |
| Deciding on a Provider |
When to Visit |
Do I need to bring anything to my first check-up?
You should take a copy of your health records, including immunizations you have had, to your first check-up. You can get these records from your old provider or maybe from your school. Also, bring any medicines you are taking, or bring a list of those medicines. At your check-up, talk about any allergies or reactions that you have had to your medicines.
What will happen at my check-up?
Your primary care provider will ask you questions about your general health, such as headaches, sore throats, infections, and stomachaches. She/he will also ask you about your gynecologic history, such as when you started your menstrual periods, how often they occur, and whether you have ever had a sexual partner or sexual intercourse. She/he will also ask you about your health habits, such as if you smoke, drink, or use seat belts. You will also be asked about your nutrition, stress level, family history, and moods, such as depression. Check-ups will also include measuring your height, weight, and blood pressure. Your ears, eyes, throat, neck, heart, breasts, and abdomen will also be checked.
During your teen years, you'll get a diphtheria and tetanus shot booster (every 10 years), 3 hepatitis B shots, a booster of mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR), and a chickenpox shot (if you haven't had the disease). Before you travel abroad to countries in Latin America, Asia, or Africa, you should get the Hepatitis A vaccine. Before you start your freshman year in college, you should discuss with your health care provider about getting the meningococcal vaccine to lessen your risk of getting the very serious infection, meningitis (inflammation of the brain tissue).
What should I do at my first check-up?
Try to be open with your health care provider. You need to decide if you feel comfortable talking to and sharing information with your provider. You need to ask any questions that you may have. Write them down before your appointment so you don't forget! You might want to bring someone along to help you ask questions. See how well the provider answers your questions and listens to you. Are you happy with the provider at the end of your visit?
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Updated 6/11/2001
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