DEAR DOCTORS: I am baffled that what used to be a thorough and comprehensive physical exam is now just a few questions, taking some vital signs and a few blood tests. No checking your eyes, throat, glands or reflexes. No breast exam. Why has this changed? What constitutes a complete physical these days?
DEAR READER: The annual physical exam has long been considered a cornerstone of preventive healthcare. But as surprising as it may seem, there are no official guidelines as to what it should entail. At the same time, some doctors and medical practices have recently begun to move away from offering their patients a yearly checkup. This change has been prompted by several studies that, in parsing large troves of healthcare data, have questioned the efficacy of this yearly ritual. However, for both of us, the annual physical exam continues to be an important part of our practices.
