The Big Data Physical: Better Health Or More Anxiety?

In This Doctor's Office, A Physical Exam Like No Other by Carl Zimmer.  The New York Times.  May 8, 2019.

Independent Medical Review For Presidential Candidates?

Is This The Way To Get Rid Of The Ridiculous Health Conspiracy Theories?  by Dan Diamond.  Politico.  August 27, 2016

Physical Exams Receive Renewed Emphasis In Some Medical Schools

Patients Lose When Doctors Can't Do Good Physical Exams by Sandra G. Boodman.  Kaiser Health News.  May 20, 2014.

Value of Annual Medical Exam Questioned

Study Questions the Value of Annual Physical Exams by Brenda Goodman.  WebMD.  October 16, 2012.

The study was created at the Nordic Cochrane Center in Copenhagen, Denmark. and combined data from 14 studies of over 180,000 people.  Patients were followed from four to 22 years.  It was found that there was no difference in the death rates (7%) of those who had annual exams and those who did not.

Those who question the conclusions of this study point to the fact that most of the studies were done during the 60's and 70's during a time when tests now shown to have little value for general screening were performed routinely.  Also during those periods there was limited emphasis on quitting smoking.  For those who question the report, the problem is not the exam but what is addressed in the exam.

Others point to more current research which point to limited value of annual physical for otherwise healthy adults.  They emphasis a focus on areas of demonstrated health benefit and prompt to attention to abnormal signs and symptoms.