Asking for a 'phsyical' ?

Before I ring my GP and look foolish, thought I'd risk it here first:

What's the equivalent of a physical exam here, and is it 'common' practice?

And I presume I need to request a cholesterol test from my GP?

I was told "no physicals" just come in when you have a complaint. 

If you want any screening done, you have to request it from your GP.  My nurse said it would be no problem, to get a mole screen, cholesterol screen etc.. but they don't do it routinely.

a bit off topic- sorry- but you mentioned mole screen.  do they do routine yearly body dermatologist sweeps?  i have had several suspicous moles in the past and i'm supose to go to the dermatlogist every year.  missed my US appoitment.

perhaps i'll have the dr look at this one particular weird looking mole next appointment and get my yearly sweep when next in the US.  hmmm.

My nurse said no "screens" but if you are concerned about a mole, then go in and get it looked at by the GP and he'll send you on to the derm.   If you have a history, then you should go see the GP and have it put into your chart.  He'll direct you to the right place. 

update for any other moley people- my dr referred me to the dermatologist... they tried to do the book & choose system but it went haywire and she spent 20 minutes battling the system.  so i'll be getting a standard letter... oh well...

...and anyone else curious...

I met with the nurse yesterday who took my blood pressure, weight and height, and then gave me the information to go have blood taken (for cholesterol, etc.).
It was easy and pleasant!

I haven't heard of anyone having a physical here, just specific screening test.

We registered at a new surgery, however, and they've already asked Andrew if he'd like to come in and be screened for Type II diabetes as part of a university study, as both his folks developed it young and Andrew smokes.

Some jobs will require that a physical exam is passed, but unless you have an existing condition I think your GP can charge you for it.

Vicky

A GP will follow-up on any medical conditions you have, as well as any medical conditions that are in your family.

For example, because diabetes runs in my family, I was told that I could come in and get tested for diabetes whenever I wanted.

Also, because I have asthma, I get an annual asthma check-up. At my last one, I was very surprised that they weighed me. I guess it is because obesity worsens asthma, so it is procedure to weigh everyone with asthma.

If you are on birth control pills, you will get your blood pressure checked when you renew your pills, and when you get them prescribed for the first time.

Something that happened to me recentlly,  I had to have a blood test and the doctor ordered my cholesterol checked at the same time, even though the first blood test had nothing to do with my cholesterol level. I guess it is because I have a history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease in my family.

sweetpeach, do you know if your asthma doctors handle allergies as well? having a hard time finding an allergist here  :\\\'(

I don't have a doctor for my asthma. I see a nurse at my GP's surgery who specialises in asthma cases. My asthma is very mild, with no worrisome complications.

I havent seen anyone else mention this, so i will...

What we used to call a 'physical' in the US, is called a 'medical' here.