Yearly Physical Examinations at LCHC Go Far Beyond Physical Wellness

Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC) is a long-standing, high-quality healthcare provider for countless residents living in and around Lynn. We offer traditional primary care and a number of specialized services, advanced testing capabilities, and educational outreach opportunities. For many individuals, LCHC is the foundation of their well-being.

Dr. Nicholas Urbanczyk, Director of Primary Care at LCHC, understands this and has made it his goal to elevate care at the health center. He says that yearly physical examinations play a major role in LCHC’s comprehensive healthcare model.

“Some people call it the complete physical exam. Some people call it a health maintenance visit,” explains Dr. Urbanczyk. “It’s an annual checkup with a person’s primary care provider. There are so many things that we want to do for our patients over the year, and it’s a touchpoint for us to get together and review how things are going. Sometimes it becomes more than just a routine physical.”

Dr. Urbanczyk urges that everyone get a yearly physical exam because that exam is just the jumping-off point to provide comprehensive care for the community.

The Significance of Yearly Physical Exams

Yearly physicals are a roadmap for preventive healthcare. Unfortunately, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), only 20% of U.S. adults get an annual physical, and research suggests that most people don’t take it seriously.

Dr. Urbancyzk disagrees with this approach.

“It’s a cornerstone. It’s the foundation for all the different things primary care delivers to our patients,” he says. “Nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health, and so on. It’s the value of a complete physical exam.”

For Dr. Urbancyzk, it’s the single most important touchpoint around a patient’s physical and mental health.

“We use that time,” he explains, “not always one hundred percent for the physical exam, but we use it to deliver value to the patient.”

This approach is part of a value-based care model that LCHC and other healthcare providers nationwide are pioneering to further expand what comprehensive care means for patients today.

For most patients, health-based value is first established with a physical examination.

Components of Yearly Physical Examinations at LCHC

You can expect more than just the standard procedures when you step into LCHC for your yearly physical. While blood pressure measurements, blood tests, and other routine checks are essential, the center places immense value on open communication.

“All of our patients want us to listen to them,” says Dr. Urbancyzk. “They want to have a conversation about what their needs are, regardless of whether it’s connected to outcome X. So many different things can come up during that physical exam in which we’ll learn things, and then how do we help with those things?”

A physical exam at LCHC may include:

Vital Signs Check

• Blood pressure measurement
• Heart rate and rhythm
• Respiratory rate
• Temperature
• Oxygen saturation

Physical Examination

• Skin examination
• Observing mobility and posture
• Eye check
• Ear inspection
• Throat and tonsil examination
• Checking the thyroid
• Listening to the heart
• Lung examination
• Palpating the abdomen

Neurological and Musculoskeletal Examination

• Reflex testing
• Strength and balance tests
• Sensory tests
• Joint inspection
• Muscle strength testing

Labs and Tests (if necessary)

• Blood tests
• Urine analysis
• X-rays

A Broader Health and Wellness Conversation

• Existing conditions or medications.
• Hereditary risks or diseases in the family.
• Diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco use, and other lifestyle habits.
• Sleep patterns, stress levels, and any other factors affecting daily life.
• Feelings, mood, and any signs of depression or anxiety.
• Concerns related to substance use, relationships, or other behaviors affecting health and well-being.

The health and wellness professionals at LCHC recognize the intertwined nature of mental health, physical well-being, and social determinants of health. An examination isn’t just a check-up. It’s a conversation and an opportunity to address broader health concerns.

LCHC’s Comprehensive Approach to Patient Care

Lynn’s value-based care model is not a new concept. In fact, when Dr. Urbanczyk is asked about the recent push around value-based care, he explains that the idea has been around for decades.

“There are HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations), ACOs (Accountable Care Organizations), and now we have VBP (Value-Based Payment),” he explains. “It’s always something new, but I think this one has something special to deliver. That’s really the value.”

“What is the value of the care we provide? How much of the care is valuable? An outcome measure or a data point might not always be at the top of the priority list. It’s really important to listen to the patient.”

LCHC’s approach goes beyond the physical. The center aims to understand each patient’s unique circumstances, often discussed during an appointment like a physical exam, and to ensure that every individual receives subjective, comprehensive care.

This might address social determinants of health, behavioral health needs, wellness programs, or simply lending an ear during a routine check-up.

“If I achieve my outcome measures for the patient, what now?” asks Dr. Urbanczyk. “What can we do with things like transportation, food, housing, social drivers of health, and so forth?”

LCHC’s Pledge to Inclusive Healthcare

LCHC stands out for its unwavering commitment to inclusivity. Part of our value-based care model is a promise to provide quality healthcare to patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

This begins with a comprehensive physical exam.

A yearly physical isn’t just a routine. It’s an essential part of a broader spectrum of care that LCHC offers. Our healthcare providers, like Dr. Urbanczyk, consider your health our top priority, whether it’s physical fitness, mental well-being, or other health concerns.

If you haven’t had your yearly check-up, consider scheduling one today. LCHC and its dedicated team are here to serve you. Contact us now for more details or to book an appointment.