Annual Schedule for Doctor Appointments

As part of any effective wellness strategy, you should meet with your doctor(s) and other members of your healthcare team on a regular basis.

You should ensure that you set up the necessary doctor appointments during the calendar year as specified by your doctor (Primary Care Physician). 

If possible, try to schedule your appointments during the same time period each year. 

The following is a list of the key doctor visits that you should complete during the year if you are diabetic. 
 

Visit	Purpose	Frequency
Primary Care Physician/ Endocrinologist	Check blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, kidney tests, nerves (foot exam)	Every 3 to 6 months
Primary Care Physician	Physical exam; Other tests: blood pressure, cholesterol, kidneys, liver	Annual
Ophthalmologist	Eye tests for retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma	Every 6 months or Annual
Health coach; Dietitian/Nutritionist	Wellness planning; Nutritional planning, etc.	Once a month or As required
Dentist	Cleaning of teeth and gums, dental examinations	Cleaning: Every 3 mos. Exams: Annual
Podiatrist	Examination of feet for nerve damage	Every 3 to 6 months or As Required

You should visit your primary care physician and/or endocrinologist on a regular basis to review your progress, your blood glucose readings, corrective actions, and other notes – at least until you have your blood glucose level under control. 

Depending on your health needs and your health goals, you should get a complete physical and set of blood work every 6 to 12 months to identify any trends that may be getting overlooked, especially if you’re not making any significant improvements.

Note 1: Your healthcare team may include one or more of the following healthcare professionals: cardiologist, neurologist (nerves), nephrologist (kidneys), physiotherapist, naturopathic doctor, or psychiatrist. Other members may include a health coach, diabetes educator, pharmacist, community health nurse, or social worker.

Note 2: If you really want to get more out of your doctor appointments, read Chapter 11 of Death to Diabetes or read the next post for guidelines that you can perform before, during, and after your appointment.