Why comprehensive
check-ups are not necessary
According to the recommendation from smarter medicine / Choosing Wisely comprehensive check-ups are not recommended in persons without any noticeable symptoms. Find out what this means for you.
Fear of illness
is not healthy
Have you considered having a comprehensive check-up done even though you have no symptoms of a specific disease? How do you hope to profit? Do you have any specific fears or concerns? Would you like medical confirmation that you are healthy? Share your thoughts openly with your primary care provider. Depending on your concerns, targeted examinations can be performed.
What is a
comprehensive
check-up?
Comprehensive check-ups include preventive care and further tests in persons without any symptoms for a specific disease. Anything beyond preventive care is not recommended and not useful. There are no established guidelines on which additional tests should be performed beyond the recommended preventive care and what should be looked for.
What is
preventive care?
Preventive care aims to detect diseases at an early, symptom-free stage when it is easier to treat. It is performed at certain ages and intervals in persons without any symptoms of the disease. Although preventive care is recommended, it is important to be aware of potential downsides. The decision to undergo preventive care should be made on an individual basis.
When I turned 50, I wanted to have a comprehensive check-up because one of my friends had a heart attack. However, my primary care provider explained that comprehensive check-ups neither increase life expectancy nor prevent diseases. Now, I will continue to have only the recommended preventive care.
When should you see
a primary care provider?
Tap the WRONG answer and see the solution immediately.
In case of relevant symptoms
In case of chronic diseases or risk factors for a specific disease
For preventive care (incl. lifestyle counseling, smoking cessation)
For comprehensive check-ups as reassurance when in absolutely good health
For all of the mentioned reasons, it makes sense to see your primary care provider, except for comprehensive check-ups when in absolutely good health.
Advantages and
disadvantages
… of not undergoing comprehensive check-ups
Avoiding detection of irrelevant illnesses
Avoiding risks associated with medical testing
Avoiding false-positive results
Avoiding false-negative results
No unnecessary burden on the healthcare system
Potentially missing recommended preventive care
Less contact with your primary care provider
Fear of undetected illnesses
Without symptoms or risk factors, abnormal findings are often meaningless. They cause unnecessary worry and follow-up testing. False-positive results are common (concerning results even though no illness is present). However, a normal result does also not prove that you are 100% healthy.
Most important preventive care
You can find a comprehensive list of recommended preventive care
in «Downloads & further information».
Smoking cessation counseling
For everyone
Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear)
For all females aged 21 to 70, every 3 years
Colonoscopy
For all persons aged 50 to 75, every 10 years or stool blood test for all persons aged 50 to 75, every 2 years
Blood pressure measurement
For all persons aged 18 to 40, every 3 years and annually for all persons aged 40 to 75
FAQ
When does it make sense to see a primary care provider?
Symptoms present: There may be an illness present that can be treated.
Chronic diseases: Monitoring the course of chronic diseases is important because treatment plans have to be continuously adjusted according to disease progression. It is also important to detect complications or secondary diseases early.
Risk factors for certain diseases (e.g., family history, risk behavior): An examination can be useful to detect and treat a specific disease as early as possible.
Preventive care: The benefit for promoting health is well-established.
What is an irrelevant disease?
Irrelevant diseases are conditions that do not require treatment until death because they have no impact on health. In other words, they cause no symptoms and are not a cause of death. Some cancers can even be considered irrelevant.
Why does a normal test result not prove with 100% certainty that I am healthy?
Every test and examination has a certain degree of inaccuracy. For example, a result may be normal at the time of testing, but you might still have a disease that the test could not detect at that moment.
Summary
Comprehensive check-ups with tests beyond the recommended preventive care
have more disadvantages than benefits.
If you are and feel healthy but are still interested in a comprehensive check-up, please write down your reasons, concerns and any specific questions before contacting your primary care provider. This will allow them to address your needs more effectively.
Downloads & further
information
Discussion with your
primary care provider
Always discuss your thoughts, questions or uncertainties with your primary care provider. If possible, try to go to the appointment well-informed and prepared.