Physical Exam Appointment Length

I'm curious as to how long a physical exam appointment takes and how long it's scheduled for. It's been a few years since I had a physical and I can't recall exactly how long the appointment was scheduled for (with the waiting time before being called back by the nurse and the waiting time for the doctor to come into the exam room, I was there for 2 hours but I think the appointment was supposed to be only 30 minutes).

I have a physical scheduled later in the spring with a newish doctor in a different medical group. I've seen him for a few office visits and at our first appointment we went over my history and discussed any medical conditions but other than listening to my heart and lungs via a stethoscope under my shirt, I kept my clothes on) . The physical is scheduled for 40 minutes and I'm curious if that's typical in terms of length or if it's long or short?

I found a topic related to how long gynecological exams typically take but I couldn't find a similar one for annual physical exams, especially annual physicals for guys.

The online appointment info says it's at 9 for 40 minutes (basically the doctor has 20 minute aappointment slots and this fills 2 of them). I don't expect an xray (I don't believe there's a radiology department in the clinic) or a stress test and I've never had an EKG so unsure on the likelihood of that. I just hear these stories about super rushed physicals and apparently my new clinic as a matter of course blocks off 2 slots for a physical. My last physical at my old clinic was of the more rushed variety (though my old doctor had a larger patient panel) so I'm curious whether it seems my new doc is likely to take his time (I do know he does like to talk a lot)

Agree. A lot of doctors are in hurry and miss major findings.

I have had very thorough physical exams that lasted no more than 15 minutes. I found this length of exam to border on being tedious. I am not sure I could tolerate a 40 minute exam.

I seriously doubt that the doc will be with you for 40 minutes. I'm sure staff will take care of the preliminaries (vitals, labs, EKG, etc.) . The doctor will probably be with you for 15 or 20 minutes.

Being your first full exam, I'd say you may be with him personally for maybe 20-30 minutes. He can always order EKG, x-ray, labs, etc and send you elsewhere (another office in the clinic, etc)

My rule of thumb is that if they schedule you for 30 minutes, get there about a half hour before, then assume you will be going to the lab, pharmacy, etc. so for a "30 minute" appointment, allow yourself between 1 and 2 hours.

Then again, I'm use to working with VA clinics.

Varies a lot. For a first time physical with a new internist, I have been told to expect a one hour appointment. That one hour included 15 minutes of pre-exam conversation with the doctor, 5 minutes to get undressed, 15 minutes of examination, 5 minutes to get dressed, and 20 minutes to get blood drawn and provide a urine sample. Other times have been shorter and the order of what happened different.

A hour long appointment if you count the time you spend undressed and waiting for the doctor to come in? Who has had to wait an unusually long time for the doctor once the nurse tells you to get undressed? What was it like?

A physical exam should take as long as it takes. I am not going to rush my doctor through it, so he misses something important that could mean my health or life. Plan on asking a lot of questions concerning how you feel or little pains you have. After all, you are paying for this visit and he is there specifically to check out anything unusual or suspicious.

It seems to me that the actual physical exams when the doctor is in the office looking down your throat, listening to various internal organs and so on have gotten shorter. When I was a child, my physicals probably did last a good forty-five minutes, from the first look in my ears down to the end of the genital exam and being told that I could now get dressed. Nowadays, you're lucky if you get more than ten or fifteen minutes.

My head to toe physicals take as usual 30 to 40 minutes together with taking my history.

Longer the better. I guess 45 minutes is about perfect

I think the average appointment for me has been about 30 mins. For my final physical from the military is was more like an hour.

My doctor takes around an hour...but it's not even very thorough, he wastes about 40 minutes telling stories, as he is a family friend

Usually in and out in under 30 minutes...sometimes i wish it was a bit longer, tho

One presumes you are talking playdoc scenario here? Rather worrying if its referring to a registered doctor's appointment. Perhaps you could clarify? Thanks.

Usually 30-45 minutes at most... one time about 10 mins with a 30 min wait... needless to say I didn't go back there

I have had physicals last as long as 45 mins. My current doctor usually takes about 25 mins.

My physicals take between 15 and 20 minutes. and that is for a full strip.

Finally had the appointment earlier this week. I think I ended up being with the doctor for maybe 30 minutes. A lot of talking about any concerns. The actual examination part was maybe 10 to 15 minutes. I had my shirt off for most of it and dropped my pants and underwear for the hernia and testicular check. No rectal (which makes sense since I'm under 40).

In the US, and I have been here for 13 years, a medical at your General Practitioner, 5-10 minutes, they never listen, more interested in sending you for tests which cost more money than the visit you came for, never a proper or focused examination and they always seem rushed. In the UK, 30-45 minutes with your GP, who knows your medical history and usually your family. The UK system is better believe me.

Mine are usually 15-20 min in the room with someone, waiting not included

It is booked for a 45-minute slot for my exams.

My exams last about 30-45 minutes, and that is actual doctor examination. That does not include the time sitting there on the table naked, waiting for the doctor to come in. And yes, I am usually naked on the exam table waiting.

Maybe 45 to 60 minutes for a first time history and physical with a new doctor. Otherwise, maybe 30-45 minutes, including the prelims with the nurse, getting undressed and then getting dressed. I have not had really long waits for a doctor after being told to get undressed but 15 minutes is not unusual. Still, waiting on the exam table in my underwear or in only a gown for 15 minutes does make me feel vulnerable.

Depends the older I got the shorter the exam when I was young about 45 minutes

The first few times it took about 30-45 minutes, it now takes about 20-30 minutes

It always seems longer, but I've never had an exam take longer than half an hour. Provided that they don't need to do anything extra, like shots or blood drawing or whatever. But that doesn't take too much longer.

Normally 30 minutes...

The last actual "physical" I had was for work maybe about 5 or 6 years ago, and that took about 30 minutes. My other check ups at my specialist and my OBGYN usually are 15-20 unless I have questions or an issue.