7 questions to consider asking your GP at your next check-up

Asking questions is key to good communication with your doctor. To get the most out of your next visit, we’ve put together a list of must-ask questions for your GP.

We’ve all been there. You’re in the waiting room of your doctor’s office, trying to remember what you wanted to ask when you made the appointment a week ago. But when your name gets called, your mind goes blank. Your appointment flies by, and you don’t remember what you wanted to talk about until you’re halfway home.

After a year that saw around 100,000 fewer trips to the GP due to the pandemic, there’s never been a better time for a check up. Here’s a list of essential questions to ask your doctor at your next appointment.

And if you’re an AIA Vitality member, you can get more from your health check with one free AIA Vitality Health Check at participating Terry White, Chemmart, Amcal and Guardian pharmacies each membership year.  

As you age, there are specific tests that you need to start thinking about, from the semi-regular (like blood and skin tests) to annual (breast cancer screening) to infrequent (prostate checks). Ask your doctor what they’d advise for someone of your age and set a reminder for how often you’ll need to repeat them.

It might feel uncomfortable, but it’s important to talk to doctor about your weight. If your BMI is in the overweight (BMI of 25+) or obese (30+) category, you could put yourself at risk of a variety of conditions including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers. If your BMI falls in the underweight (less than 18.5) bracket, you could also be at increased risk. Step on the scale during your next appointment and make a note of any action or dietary changes you might need to make.

Find more information about BMI calculations through the Department of Health’s ‘Healthy Weight’ initiative.

This is a broad – yet essential – category that can cover everything from stress management, to diet, to sleeping habits. Talk to your doctor about specific issues that are concerning you and ask for actionable plans for small steps you can make towards long-term change.

If you’re sexually active, STI screening should be a regular part of your healthy lifestyle. It’s also possible to be carrying an STI and be entirely asymptomatic, thereby putting your partners at risk. Talk to your doctor about your sexual history and request a screening if relevant.

While you’ll receive most critical vaccines in your childhood, there are certain ages and circumstances where you’ll need additional shots to prevent illness. If you’re pregnant, it’s likely you’ll need specific vaccinations to protect you and your child. People aged 65 and older require vaccinations for pneumococcal and shingles. And, of course, this year sees the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for almost all Australians.

Even if you fall outside of these age brackets or aren’t pregnant, it doesn’t hurt to be up-to-date on your flu shot (apart from a brief jab!). AIA Vitality members can earn AIA Vitality Points for providing proof of attendance for certain vaccinations.

It’s important to keep an eye on your blood pressure, as it’s a reliable indicator of future health problems. If your blood pressure is too high, you’re putting additional strain on your heart as it pumps blood through your arteries. While this can cause serious health issues (including increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke) it’s not a condition that necessarily presents outwardly – so asking for a check should be at the top of your list. Better yet – the AIA Vitality Health Check covers body composition, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol all in one. To book, simply log in to your account and follow the steps on the AIA Vitality portal. 

It’s easy to let the months slip by and before you know it, it’s been a year since you’ve last scheduled a check-up. At the end of your appointment, ask your doctor if you need to follow up on any of the matters discussed in the short term and when you should schedule your next general check-up.

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.