Physical Exam vs. Check Up

It seems to me that there is a distinct difference between going to the doctor for a physical exam versus a check up. Physical exams are always more in depth and require getting undressed. Check ups seem to be nothing more than cursory. When I scheduled my doctor's appointment for next month I requested a physical exam. Do you think that the doctor will be more in depth this time because I said physical exam versus check up?

I think a check up is just a quick look to see how you are doing. I think a physical exam is more entailing. You have to fast the night before, urine samples, blood samples, chest xrays, maybe even ECGs and PFTs. If a doctor finds something during a a routine check up, then they may order a complete physical.

I am fairly sure that here, they are used as the same meaning.

Im pretty sure that they are the same thing or can be used in the same context. A physical includes a full body examn while a check up may just be the routine vitals and bodily functions. I think the physical often includes the genital and rectal exam while the check up does not.

Check-up is equivalent to a doctor visit when you are sick or they are monitoring a particular condition (i.e. broken leg, heart condition)

A physical exam is an annual procedure that are longer and are more of a screening of you general health. They are used as proactive health measure so they can advise you if you should make a lifestyle change.

My annual exam, at least during my adult life, has been called a check up. It is not at all thorough, in fact, I never even have to remove any clothing. Taking my blood pressure and pulse and a quick steth exam is all that is ever done. One would assume that an annual exam would be a complete exam. If the appointment was for a chronic condition that I was seen regularly for, I could understand a cursory exam. However, I believe that an annual exam should be complete.

I have always used the terms interchangeably.

I would also think that those terms are the same

Generally speaking, as the terms are used in this area, you are correct.

I personally prefer the term 'check up'. It just sounds...I don't know how to explain it, but it just sounds more intrusive.

My main squeeze gets a "well woman exam." She disrobes completely and her male doc gives her a complete going over. She brought home the small vest that she was given to temporarily cover her chest. That evening she undressed and put it on, much to my delight. 😁

I've heard the term "well woman exam" a lot before - I assume it's a British thing. Is a 'well woman exam' any different than a woman just going in for a physical? Is there a 'well man exam' also?

Check ups also needs undfressing some times . for example, if you go for breast check up you need to expose your breasts and should be naked waist up. And if you want to check your ass, you need to naked waist down.

I think there is a slight difference, where a physical exam is more thorough as compared to a check up...

I always thought the two terms were synonymous.

Hard to say the exact difference between physical exam and check up but I would guess that a physical exam is more detailed exam than just a check up. The physical exam often requires some tests as above is already said.

They mean the same.

When I go for a visit to the visit usually lasts about 30 minutes, if I go only for medical or why I am wrong somewhere visiting lasts 5 10 minutes

I think that a physical exam is somewhat more thorough.

I had my first physical with my new PCP. To be fair, I had not had one in years. They said I needed physical because I was a Patient. The Doctor was not available for 2 months, so they said the NP would perform the physical- I was surprised (and disappointed) that my shirt did not even come off- The Nurse called it a "once-over" but I would most certainly not call it a physical.

I agree that a physical exam is more in-depth.

Agreed. physical exams are in general, more in depth and thorough encompassing every body system. check ups as stated, are cursory and episodic.

They certainly sound like they should be two different types of exams. However, in reality, doctors' offices use the terms for the same type of exam, I know mine does, anyway, and will charge the same price no matter which you specify.

I feel like doctors don't even have checkup appointments anymore. It's either a physical exam, or you're seeing them for some sort of ailment.

I feel like it depends on the doctor as well. I think if you're not specific enough they won't be thorough.

You never know till you go through it. They can easily mean the same thing.

Yes, physical exam is an annual event that requires me to wear a gown and takes about 30 minutes of the doctors time. She likes to go over all her previous notes on me to make sure nothing is missed. Although last physical she asked if we could skip the hernia check since she had done one on me three months earlier for a checkup.

A Check up usually gets booked for 15 minutes and only deals with a specific ailment, or two.

My annual check up never seems thorough, I think they only check the basics.

Can't say for sure when it come to a man, I do know as a woman and for what I'm looking for, I always make my appointments for a physical examination, I will be told to completely undress for a breast exam, stirrup examination with speculum and a finger in my anus. From there it depends on the doctor in just how much detail he will go into.

I think it's also depending on what you're going in for. If it is just a regular exam then it is a full-blown everything, check up is just seeing how you're doing.