Many people think the best time to see a doctor is when they’re sick, but scheduling routine visits, before an ailment or illness strikes, is important.
“An annual visit functions as a time to make sure your medical screenings like blood pressure, cancer risk factors and associated screenings are up to date,” says Dr. Isaac Wilber, Internist at Arnot Health, a member of Centralus Health.
These checkups focus on health maintenance rather than specific acute illnesses, which are often addressed in separate appointments.
“You don’t have to know what it is that you’re trying to get help for. You don’t need to be able to define the problem specifically. You can go to your family doctor, and they can help you figure that out,” says Dr. Seneca Harberger, family medicine at Cayuga Health, a member of Centralus Health.
Delaying preventative care or avoiding the doctor’s office altogether may set you up for some unexpected health complications in the future.
“Having a physician who knows the ins and outs of the healthcare system, who you can see more often, and who can look at your other providers’ recommendations can put together the best option for you based on your health,” says Dr. Jamie Molina-Marinez, Internist at Arnot Health, a member of Centralus Health.
The time spent in an exam room isn’t spent solely focusing on preventative medicine. No matter what a patient’s medical need or concern is, a primary care provider is the main point of contact.
“It’s important for people to feel listened to because our purpose in the healthcare system is to care for and solve the problems of our patients. If a patient doesn’t feel heard, they’re not going to make those changes that are important for them,” says Dr. Harberger.
Childhood health records are crucial in adulthood for providing a complete medical history, which helps in diagnosing and treating current health issues, tracking long-term health trends, and managing chronic conditions. These records inform adult healthcare providers about past illnesses, treatments, and family medical history, ensuring continuity of care and preventing potential misdiagnosis.
“Annual wellness visits are important from infancy to adulthood because you’re looking for these problems before they become a problem,” says Mary Westerfield, Family Nurse Practitioner at Arnot Health, a member of Centralus Health.
Most people only need to see their provider on an annual basis. A lot can change physically and mentally in the year between appointments. When patients come in, Dr. Wilber says he looks for observable signs of a condition, which can differ from the symptoms that a patient reports.
“I’ve been able to detect abnormal rhythms or heart murmurs and been able to act on that as a form of screening. I’ve found it’s a really rewarding opportunity to catch an illness before it’s causing symptoms. It’s a chance to find the disease before it turns into something more severe,” says Dr. Wilber.
The doctor-patient relationship involves vulnerability and trust. It is one of the most moving and meaningful experiences shared by human beings. People turn to a doctor for care from the time they’re born to the end of their lives.
“I really like the portion of medical care where you help people feel comfortable with asking questions and getting answers. It’s not about being the smartest in the room. It’s about caring for somebody and helping them feel cared for,” says Dr. Harberger.
Providers at Arnot Health and Cayuga Health, members of Centralus Health, accept patients of all ages. Go to mychart.centralushealth.org to find a primary care provider today.
Arnot Health’s primary care offices are located in Elmira at 602 Ivy Street, 200 Madison Avenue, Floor 3; in Horseheads at 100 John Roemmelt Drive, Suite 301; in Big Flats at 455 Maple Street, Suite 1; in Corning at 123 Conhocton Street; and Painted Post at 418 South Hamilton Street.
Cayuga Health’s primary care offices are located in Ithaca at 40 Catherwood Road, 905 Hanshaw Road, Suite C, 401 Cayuga Park Lane, Suite 201, 217 North Aurora Street; in Cortland at 260 Tompkins Street; in Dryden at 5 Evergreen Street; in Montour Falls at 220 Steuben Street; and Ovid at 2138 West Seneca Street.
