Public Expectation for Annual Physical Examinations
Authors: Sylvia K. Oboler
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2002)

Letters5 November 2002Public Expectation for Annual Physical ExaminationsSylvia K. Oboler, MD, Allan V. Prochazka, MD, and Robert J. Anderson, MDSylvia K. Oboler, MDDenver Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Denver, CO 80220University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Denver, CO 80262Search for more papers by this author, Allan V. Prochazka, MDDenver Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Denver, CO 80220University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Denver, CO 80262Search for more papers by this author, and Robert J. Anderson, MDDenver Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Denver, CO 80220University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Denver, CO 80262Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-137-9-200211050-00023 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:While we generally agree with the points made by Drs. Wool and Poplin, two issues deserve emphasis. First, as we and Laine (1) have noted, annual examinations may have value not only for providing preventive health services not furnished in daily practice but also for enhancing patient–provider relationships. Second, although strategies to enhance provision of appropriate medical services are becoming better defined (2), methods to discourage use of inappropriate services have received less attention. Complex personal, organizational, and market-level influences affect patient preferences and physician practices (3). It is our working hypothesis that a greater understanding of these ...References1. Laine C. The annual physical examination: needless ritual or necessary routine? [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136:701-3. [PMID: 11992306] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Stone EG, Morton SC, Hulscher ME, Maglione MA, Roth EA, Grimshaw JM, et al . Interventions that increase use of adult immunization and cancer screening services: a meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136:641-51. [PMID: 11992299] LinkGoogle Scholar3. Landon BE, Reschovsky J, Reed M, Blumenthal D. Personal, organizational, and market level influences on physicians' practice patterns: results of a national survey of primary care physicians. Med Care. 2001;39:889-905. [PMID: 11468507] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Gonzales R, Steiner JF, Lum A, Barrett PH. Decreasing antibiotic use in ambulatory practice: impact of a multidimensional intervention on the treatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis in adults. JAMA. 1999;281:1512-9. [PMID: 10227321] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Denver, CO 80220University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Denver, CO 80262 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoInterventions That Increase Use of Adult Immunization and Cancer Screening Services Erin G. Stone , Sally C. Morton , Marlies E. Hulscher , Margaret A. Maglione , Elizabeth A. Roth , Jeremy M. Grimshaw , Brian S. Mittman , Lisa V. Rubenstein , Laurence Z. Rubenstein , and Paul G. Shekelle The Annual Physical Examination: Needless Ritual or Necessary Routine? Christine Laine Public Expectations and Attitudes for Annual Physical Examinations and Testing Sylvia K. Oboler , Allan V. Prochazka , Ralph Gonzales , Stanley Xu , and Robert J. Anderson Public Expectation for Annual Physical Examinations Marvin S. Wool Public Expectation for Annual Physical Examinations Caroline Poplin Public Expectation for Annual Physical Examinations Kei Mukohara Metrics 5 November 2002Volume 137, Issue 9Page: 774KeywordsAntibioticsMedical servicesMotivationUpper respiratory tract infections ePublished: 5 November 2002 Issue Published: 5 November 2002 CopyrightCopyright © 2002 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...