The Health Checkup Was It Ever Effective? Could It Be Effective?

Sox HC. — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In this issue of JAMA, the JAMA Clinical Evidence Synopsis by Krogsbøll et al summarizes a systematic review of 9 randomized trials of a general health check. A general health check is defined as health care motivated by the need to assess general health and prevent future illness rather than to attend to symptoms. Screening tests are performed and counseling may occur during a general health check. The Cochrane systematic review on which this Clinical Evidence Synopsis is based concluded that a general health check was not associated with an increase or decrease in total mortality.

AMA Publishing Group: Physical Examination Topic Collection

The Health Checkup Was It Ever Effective? Could It Be Effective?