Health maintenance includes prevention, early recognition and treatment of complications, and continuing patient education.
Well-patient visits provide a better setting for the development of effective health provider-patient relationships. The development of such relationships may result in fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Therefore, we encourage you to adhere to the following suggestions:
- Have regular medical evaluations at least every 6 months by a primary care provider (General Internal Medicine/Family Medicine providers) for routine screenings such as blood pressure checks, screening for diabetes, cholesterol, and routine cancer screenings as you get older (i.e. mammograms, colonoscopy)
- Have regular specialized sickle cell medical evaluations every 6 months and more often if you are treated with Hydroxyurea or chronic pain medications
- See a dentist every year
- All female patients should have a gynecological evaluation every year
- Get an annual influenza vaccine (flu shot) and a Pneumococcal and Meningococcal vaccine as recommended
- See an ophthalmologist for an annual eye examination
- Refrain from smoking and using any illegal drugs
- Avoid excessive use of alcohol
- Pursue your vocational and educational goals