How Your Primary Care Provider Can Help Jump Start Your Health

Health and fitness goals often top our New Year’s Resolutions lists. They’re a great reboot after the hustle, bustle and extra fun of the holidays. But can your primary care physician help with your New Year’s Resolutions? The experts at St. Elizabeth Physicians say yes – in a variety of ways. 

Step 1: Make an Appointment

First, our team of experts encourages you to start 2024 by scheduling a well visit with your primary care provider. Your appointment won’t take much time out of your busy schedule, but it sets the right tone for the year ahead. You’re putting your health as a priority, and that’s a much-needed boost when you’re working on developing new goals and habits. 

Step 2: Make a List

Make a list of your 2024 health and fitness goals, then decide which goals you’ll need help achieving. Do you need a gym membership or a recommendation for a yoga studio? Do you need a referral to a nutritionist for ideas on healthy, protein-packed foods? Do you need a physical exam to get the green light to join a spin class or enroll in an employee incentive plan? Or maybe you’re struggling a bit after the holidays and need a recommendation for speaking with a mental health specialist. Get all of those goals down on paper. 

Step 3: Talk it Through

At your well-visit appointment, come ready to chat about your wellness goals for the upcoming year. Your provider is a great sounding board and can provide recommendations and tips to get your health, nutrition and fitness moving in a positive direction “Having an agenda listed out for your appointment is a great way to make sure we get all of your questions answered. We are also happy to help guide you in setting some goals if you are overwhelmed on where to start. Our priority is helping you achieve your health goals for the coming year! ” says Dr. Abby Lauer, Internal Medicine provider at St. Elizabeth Physicians.

In addition to reviewing your health and wellness goals with your primary care provider, use your appointment time to discuss the following: 

• Changes in your personal health.
• Changes in chronic conditions.
• Concerns about your mental health.
• Current medications.
• Family health history changes. 
• Immunizations, including the flu shot and shingles vaccine.
• Necessary health prevention screenings such as colonoscopy or mammogram.
• Routine bloodwork to check metabolic levels.

Your visit will take less than an hour – and it could be the starting point of a great year ahead.

Call Us Today

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with a primary care physician but aren’t sure where to start, St. Elizabeth Physicians is here to help. Call 1(800) 737-7900 for more information and to schedule an appointment with one of our primary care providers.