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Dr. Michael Smith:

The annual physical is a time-honored tradition. It makes you feel good to check in with your doc, right? Well, it’s time to rip off the Band-Aid and get rid of those time-consuming appointments. Study after study shows healthy adults don’t benefit from that yearly visit -- and it may even lead to unnecessary tests. Now, don’t get me wrong, you still need your doctor. You just don’t need to pick a random date on the calendar for no particular reason. Instead, focus on the important health screenings and tests you need to stay healthy -- services that may even be available to you at no additional cost. Like blood pressure and cholesterol checks. Even young adults in their 20s need those. And women still need Pap smears. When you hit 50, schedule your colon cancer screening. There are many reasons -- life-saving reasons -- to see your doctor. And of course, if you have a medical condition, you’ll probably see your doc more than once a year anyway. If you just can’t give up that annual check-in, use it to talk to your doctor about wellness … steps you can take to get healthier. Now that’s a good use of your time! For WebMD, I’m Dr. Michael Smith.