Physicals

What are physicals?

A physical is a comprehensive review of your health. Your Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care provider looks for signs of poor health and carries out tests to screen for early signs of disease.

An annual physical exam is an excellent way of identifying health problems before they develop into more serious conditions. Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care offers annual physicals and other, more specialized exams for specific purposes.

What kinds of physicals are available?

Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care offers several types of physicals in addition to an annual checkup, including:

Immigration physicals

Anyone applying for adjustment of status and some citizenship applicants must undergo a medical examination conducted by an approved medical professional. The immigration physical consists of a physical exam, blood tests, a tuberculin (TB) skin test, and any required vaccines. 

Pre-employment physicals

Many employers require new hires to undergo a pre-employment physical to ensure the applicant is fit for their new job. The process is largely the same as an annual physical, but the employer might request specific checks and tests, such as drug screening.

You might also need to have a regular physical during the course of your employment. Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care offers comprehensive physicals for corporations and individuals.

Well-woman and well-man exams

Well-woman and -man exams are physicals that cover the same areas as annual physicals but focus on checking your reproductive health. That might mean having an internal exam and Pap smear if you’re a woman or a prostate exam if you’re a man.

Other physicals include ones for insurance purposes, exams to ensure you’re fit to play certain sports, and Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals for people who drive for a living.

What happens at a physical?

The procedure for your physical varies depending on the kind of exam you have. However, most exams include a medical and family history review and a check of your key health indicators, including:

• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Respiration (breathing) rate
• Temperature
• Reflexes

Your provider assesses your alertness, whether you have any mobility or range of motion problems and your mental and physical reactions. 

They look for signs of health issues such as rashes, weakness, pale gums, discolored eyes, and swollen lymph nodes. They also listen to your heart and lung sounds.

You would typically give blood and urine samples for testing at Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care’s on-site lab services. 

Your provider might do an echocardiogram to check your heart and refer you for diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, an ultrasound, or an MRI if they feel it’s necessary.

To arrange your physical, call Maryland Primary Care and Urgent Care today or book an appointment online.