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Ij I still believe in ANNUAL CHECKUPS Despite what detractors say, this "quality time" serves to connect you and your doctor. A TIME-HONORED tradition in medicine has been the an nual physical examination. But during the last several years, much debate has occurred as to whether the exam is a worthwhile exer cise. Groups such as the U.S. Preven tive Services Task Force advocate “tar geting screenings” for specific problems in place of the old standard checkup of the past. Reasons for moving away from the annual checkup? Some authorities feel that the cost of performing general evaluations is not justified. Many patients who see their doctors for an nual visits still don’t undergo recommended preventive screenings. Also, if the annual checkups include broad screening studies, such as blood tests and X-rays, then the costs associated with such an evaluation might not be justified. As the cost of health care has climbed steadily, such considerations of how health-care dollars are spent certainly are to be expected. What’s the other side of the story? When surveyed, a significant majority' of patients and doctors say they find annual checkups neces- sary. Such “healthy” visits offer intangible benefits that can’t be measured by statistical analyses alone. Having an allotted time to discuss topics of concern helps a doc tor and a patient bond, leading to a level of trust that’s important to the patient’s health. Based on my experience, I come down on the side of doctors and patients. Certainly bonding can occur when I’m performing acute care. But the real connection oc curs when the patient and I are visiting at the time of his or her checkup. We’ve all heard about the importance of “quality time” with family and friends. That’s true of 10 USA WEEKEND • Sept 14-16,2007 Health By DR. TEDD MITCHELL 1 The bond that physicians and patients create and share is invaluable. the annual checkup, too, which is why doctors and pa tients cherish it so much. One of our Cooper Clinic physicians has a patient who travels quite some distance to come see him for an ap pointment every year. When the man’s physician back home asked him why he travels so far to get a simple checkup every year, the patient’s re sponse was simple: “Because that doctor re turns my calls.” We live in a world in which the pace of everything is getting more hectic, and our interactions with everyone seem to occur at an increasingly faster rate. Medicine is no dis- ferent We’re all in a hurry; we want to streamline and are looking for the simplest, most efficient, most cost effective means of doing everything. In our effort to do this, however, we miss out on “human touch,” which could well be the most impor tant part of a physician-patient relationship. By rele gating an annual physical to a mere checklist, we run the danger of losing the quality that makes the rela tionship special. Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and medical director of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes Healths mart every week. Health Don't spread it around! How to curb 4 contagious skin problems in children PARENTS, IF YOUR CHILD suddenly devel ops a skin infection, get prompt attention from a skin specialist. “Proper diagnosis is especially important for treatment because some home remedies like over-the-counter cortisone can make an infec tion worse,” says Jody A. Levine, M.D., head of pediatric dermatology at Montefiore Medical Cen ter in New York City. Her advice on the four top and highly conta gious skin conditions in children: ► Impetigo. When kids rub their runny noses and develop a honey-colored crust, or when dia per rash erodes the skin, the staph and strep bac teria that ordinarily live on the top of the skin get in deeper and cause infection. To prevent spread ing: Protect the skin. Use petroleum jelly or zinc oxide ointment on the nose, lips or diaper area; cut children’s nails short; don’t share washcloths or towels. ► Moltoscum. Shiny pimples caused by a virus can spread from one area of the body to another. To prevent spreading: Don’t share tow'els; disinfect showers; avoid picking or \Jh squeezing the pimples. 1 ► Warts. They are infec- tious, but not everyone gets the virus. Plantar-warts appear . on the soles of feet To prevent spreading: Keep warts cov ered; wear sandals while in . the shower. JS ► Ringworm. The fun- m gal infection tinea likes n| warm, moist areas of the IBKgj f body. To prevent spread- S? ing: Diy off thoroughly after swimming or sweat ing; disinfect any brushes, IS combs, hat= and helmets, and don't share them; exam- Cfjf - ir.e and treat pets (cats, in uH particular); practice good hy giene. ra Susan T. Lennon VI J