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Annual Check-Up for Chronic Illness

 

According to clinical guidelines for most chronic illnesses, patients should be offered an annual assessment. This annual assessment is intended not for diagnosis and treatment but rather to evaluate the status of the disease, set treatment goals, and review medications.

 

Why is an annual check-up important?

  • Prevention of complications: Many chronic diseases can lead to complications that regular check-ups can help prevent.
  • Improvement of quality of life: Early treatment adjustments and lifestyle advice can help patients lead healthier lives.
  • Updated treatment plan: Chronic conditions can change over time, and regular check-ups ensure the treatment remains optimal.

 

Chronic diseases recommended for annual check-ups:

  • Diabetes (Type 2)
  • Chronic lung disease (COPD and Asthma)
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Cardiovascular disease (Primarily high blood pressure, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, heart valve disease, arrhythmia)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Depression/anxiety/ADHD and other mental illnesses
  • Insomnia
  • Dementia/Epilepsy/Migraine
  • Cancer
  • Chronic nonmalignant pain treated with addictive medication.
  • Hormone therapy during menopause
  • The frail elderly patient

 

 

Practical Information:

 

Scheduling an annual check-up for a chronic condition requires booking two appointments - one for the preparatory examination and one for the actual annual check-up.

Preparatory Examination: During the preparatory examination, which can be booked with the medical students, decisions are made regarding which blood tests need to be taken, whether an electrocardiogram should be performed, lung function measured, urine analysis done, weight, height, BMI noted, tobacco and alcohol use assessed, diet and exercise discussed, instructions given for home blood pressure monitoring, and possible depression and memory tests conducted along with updating medication status.

Annual Check-Up: This appointment should be booked with a doctor unless it is agreed it will be with a nurse. During the subsequent consultation for the annual check-up, the status of the illness is reviewed, and treatment goals are established together with the patient. This consultation can sometimes be conducted via a video consultation. Note: If the appointment has been booked with the doctor, although it is agreed to be with a nurse (as noted on the front page of the medical record), it will be rescheduled to a nurse. This is to streamline the clinic's workflow as the consultation should solely focus on the annual check-up. It is a good idea to prepare questions or concerns before the check-up to make the most of the conversation with the doctor.