Annual Executive Physicals vs Concierge Health Care
This article was originally posted at The Executive Health Doc™
When it comes to your health, are you getting the most out of your options? Annual executive physicals offer a lot in terms of preventive care and early detection of health problems, but concierge health care can provide even more.
With a personal physician who is available to support you on an ongoing basis, you can enjoy better overall health and preventative care.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the differences between annual executive physicals and concierge health care, so that you can make the best decision for your needs.
What is an annual executive physical?
An executive physical is a type of preventive care that is designed to help you stay healthy and identify any health problems early on. Executive physicals usually include:
- A complete physical exam
- A review of your medical history
- Screenings for various conditions, such as cancer or heart disease
- Vaccinations
The goal of an executive physical is to catch any health problems early and prevent them from becoming more serious. These physicals can be very comprehensive, but they are not always personalized.
What are the benefits of an annual executive physical?
Annual executive physicals can help you stay healthy and identify any health problems early on. They usually include a complete physical exam, a review of your medical history, screenings for various conditions, and vaccinations.
What are the drawbacks of an annual executive physical?
The primary drawbacks of an annual executive physical are their one-off nature and the lack of personalization.
As you might expect, an annual executive physical occurs just once a year. This can make it difficult to establish a relationship with your physician or receive ongoing care.
Additionally, because these physicals are not always personalized, you may not get the specific tests and screenings that you need based on your individual health history and risk factors.
They are designed to catch common health problems, but they may not identify all of the potential health concerns you have.
What is concierge health care?
Concierge health care is a type of primary care that is focused on providing each patient with individualized attention and care. Concierge healthcare providers typically have a smaller number of patients than traditional primary care providers, which allows them to spend more time with each patient.
This additional time means that concierge providers can get to know their patients better and provide more personalized care. In addition to more time with patients, concierge healthcare providers often offer additional services, such as 24/hour access to their physicians and same-day appointments.
How does concierge health care differ from executive physicals?
While both annual executive physicals and concierge health care provide comprehensive wellness exams, there are some key ways in which they differ. One of the main differences is that executive physicals are typically a one-time visit, while concierge health care is an ongoing relationship between patient and physician.
Another difference is that executive physicals often take place at a hospital or other medical facility, while concierge health providers typically have their own private practice. This allows concierge physicians to get to know their patients on a more personal level and develop tailored treatment plans.
Finally, concierge healthcare providers often offer more comprehensive services than executive physicals. In addition to annual wellness exams, concierge physicians can provide primary care, sick visits, mental health services, and more.
What are the benefits of opting for concierge health care?
When it comes to your health, having a personal physician who knows you well and can provide ongoing support can make a big difference.
With concierge health care, you’ll receive:
- A comprehensive annual physical exam
- Personalized care and treatment plans
- Direct access to your physician
- Same-day or next-day appointments
- Extended appointment times for longer visits
- 24/seven availability for urgent needs.
While executive physicals are a good way to get a snapshot of your current health, they don’t offer the same comprehensive care that concierge health providers do. If you’re looking for a more personalized, long-term relationship with a physician, concierge health care may be a better option for you.
How does concierge healthcare fit into the evolving approach to corporate healthcare?
So far, we’ve broken down the benefits of choosing concierge health care over an annual executive physical, but to really understand its full benefits, concierge health care needs to be seen in the context of the evolving state of corporate healthcare.
Traditionally healthcare has been seen as a benefit offered to employees by their employers. However, in recent years there has been a shift in thinking, with employers beginning to see employees’ health and well-being as not just beneficial to the employee but also to the company.
This is because healthy employees are more productive, have less absenteeism, and cost the company less in terms of healthcare costs. As such, companies are increasingly looking for ways to promote employee health and well-being.
Minimizing Downtime in the C-suite
Downtime in the C-suite costs a company money. Executives are typically high-level decision-makers who are vital to the running of a company.
This is particularly true for C-suite executives. The level of human capital concentrated in most high-level executives makes their continued wellness essential for any company’s success.
When they are out of the office because they are sick it can cost the company dearly. This is why more and more companies are reassessing their approach to healthcare and are looking for ways to promote employee health.
One such way is through the provision of concierge health services. These services provide a more comprehensive approach to healthcare, and they can be tailored to the specific needs of each company.
Concierge health services are not just about providing executives with access to high-quality healthcare. They are also about promoting healthy lifestyle choices and preventative care.
This means that executives can stay healthy and productive, and companies can save money in the long term.
The unfortunate fact is that studies show that executives suffer from higher rates of stress and anxiety than the general population. This is likely due to the demands of their jobs, and the pressure to perform at a high level.
CEOs also sleep less and work more hours than the average worker, putting them at risk for a number of health problems.
They also have elevated considerations for certain health risks, such as heart disease and cancer. The Rippe Health Assessment Study of Senior Executives clearly shows a worrying series of statistics when it comes to executive health:
- 73% were overly sedentary and therefore predisposed to heart disease, diabetes, and general ill-health.
- 40% were obese.
- 100% of the obese executives had at least one other risk factor for cardiovascular disease, 86% had two others, and 60% had at least three.
- For context, consider that 55% of all heart disease patients present with just two risk factors.
- Additional findings included a high number of executives with elevated cholesterol and blood pressure and a large waist circumference, boosting their likelihood of a coronary event.
While one-off medical issues might be spotted in an annual health checkup, they are not a solution to the sedentary lifestyle and obesity that is leading to chronic disease.
However, the kind of personalized healthcare and support offered by concierge healthcare can help to make a difference.
By providing regular checkups, health coaching, and access to specialists, concierge health care empowers health to take control of their health and improve their overall well-being, tackling the root cause of chronic disease.
While annual health checkups are important, they are not enough to prevent chronic disease. Concierge health care offers a more comprehensive approach to tackling the root cause of chronic disease by providing regular checkups, health coaching, and access to specialists.
This empowering form of healthcare can make a real difference in people’s lives as well as support a business’s bottom line.
A recent study found that employees with chronic health conditions cost employers an average of $36.4 billion a year
Tackling the mental health issue
As we’ve already mentioned, around 90% of executives struggle with finding an effective work/life balance, and 40% deal with depression brought on by work-related stress.
These statistics are almost certainly related to the extremely high turnover of high-level executives.
At the CEO level, 40% of new hires will leave the company within the first 18 months and 64% will leave within four years. A shocking 85% of workers report that the workplace itself affects their mental health and well-being
Mental health remains a sensitive issue that many people find hard to talk about, even more so during a one-off physical with a doctor they don’t know.
This lack of reporting is one of the key reasons why mental health in the workplace is often left unchecked.
Mental health issues clearly have a personal cost, but they also come with a huge financial cost to businesses. In the US, mental health problems cost organizations over $15,000 on average annually per employee experiencing mental health and the costs don’t stop there:
- The cost of days lost averages $4,783 per year per employee
- The costs of turnover average $5,733 per year per employee
- Mentally distressed workers are 3.5 times more likely to have substance use disorders
Concierge health care offers a more personal and personalized relationship between the patient and the provider.
It is a type of healthcare in which the provider works with a small number of patients, getting to know them on a more personal level.
This relationship allows for more trust to form between the two parties, as well as better communication. This open communication is the foundation for tackling mental health problems.
Concierge health care can help to identify mental health issues early on before they become more serious.
The provider is able to get to know the patient’s triggers and what makes their symptoms worse. This information is vital in order to create a treatment plan that will be successful.
This kind of mental health support also benefits the company, with employers that support mental health seeing a return of $4 for every dollar invested in mental health treatment, according to new research released by the National Safety Council (NSC) and NORC at the University of Chicago
Wellness as a way to attract talent
Currently, unemployment rates are below 4% in the U.S and, although this is an obvious net benefit, it has led to a lack of available talent in many industries.
As a result, companies have started to focus on wellness and healthcare programs as a way to attract workers.
At the same time, key workers are increasingly expecting employers to offer these types of benefits.
A recent study found that 87% of millennials said that health and wellness programs would be a deciding or contributing factor in whether they accepted a job.
What’s more, nearly two-thirds (64%) of workers would switch jobs to one that provided better health and wellness benefits.
When it comes to word-of-mouth recruitment, 67% of employees who work for organizations with wellness programs like their jobs more and this same percentage is extremely or very likely to recommend their employer to others.
Offering enhanced healthcare and wellness programs also help to retain talent, with 45% of employees working at small to medium-sized companies would stay at their jobs longer because of their employers’ wellness programs.
Despite this scale importance of healthcare and well-being when it comes to choosing an employer, only 40% of employers prioritize their wellness initiatives within their overall benefits strategy, and just 25% of organizations use their healthcare benefits programs as part of their recruitment strategy.
As many industries struggle with a talent drought, offering concierge healthcare can help employers set themselves apart from the competition and attract top talent.
The stress epidemic
Stress is a part of everyday life, but when it starts to interfere with our ability to function, it becomes a problem. According to the American Psychological Associate, 77% of Americans experience physical symptoms because of stress, and 73% report mental health issues.
In the workplace, this manifests itself in absenteeism, presenteeism (when employees are physically present but not productive), and turnover. In fact, one study found that work-related stress costs US businesses an estimated $300 billion every year.
Surveyed workers reported that stress and anxiety affected their work productivity and coworker relations more than any other factor. Other related statistics show the breadth of the problem:
- Two-thirds of US workers are ready to quit their jobs due to stress
- Mentally “checked out” workers account for 51% of US workers
- 41% of employees claim that stress has harmed their productivity at work
- Burnout in the next 12 months is a risk for over 25% of employees
- Less than half of US workers think their employers are concerned with their work-life balance
- Approximately one million workers miss work every day due to stress
- Absenteeism caused by illness and productivity loss costs the US more than $84 billion
However, despite these concerning statistics, many employers are still not doing enough to address the issue of workplace stress.
Only 40% of workers who report stress to their employer are offered some form of assistance.
This is a huge problem, and it’s only getting worse. With more and more employees working longer hours and taking on additional responsibilities, workplace stress is becoming an epidemic and 34% of workers don’t feel safe reporting stress because they think it would be interpreted as a lack of interest or unwillingness to do the activity.
As with lifestyle-related health conditions and mental health issues, the stress epidemic is not something that a standard executive physical is well suited to remedying.
The limitations of standard executive physicals
An executive physical is a comprehensive medical exam that goes beyond the standard physical examination.
It includes a full review of the patient’s medical history, as well as tests and screenings that are specific to the executive population (such as stress tests and assessments of cardiac risk factors).
The goal of an executive physical is to identify potential health problems early before they become more serious (and more expensive to treat).
While annual executive physicals can be helpful, they have their limitations. First, they are only conducted once per year, which means that any health concerns that arise in between exams may go undetected.
The sedentary lifestyle of many executives can also contribute to health problems, as can the high levels of stress that are often associated with senior-level positions.
For these reasons, it is important for executives to pay attention to their own health on a day-to-day basis, and to see a doctor if they have any concerns.
This level of support is not offered by an annual executive physical.
Second, executive physicals are usually conducted by physicians who do not have a long-term relationship with the patient. This can make it difficult to get timely appointments and develop the trust that is so important in the doctor-patient relationship.
Dealing with mental health issues and the interconnected issues of workplace stress request a level of support that an executive physical cannot provide.
It is important for executives to have a regular doctor whom they see on a regular basis, and who knows their medical history. This kind of relationship allows for more comprehensive care and can make it easier to identify early warning signs of serious health problems.
In short, an executive physical is a good opportunity to get routine screenings and vaccinations that are recommended for all adults, such as a flu shot or a colon cancer screening.
In addition, executives may elect to have additional tests that are not typically included in a regular physical, such as a stress test or an EKG.
These additional tests can be helpful in detecting potential health problems early when they are most easily treated.
However, they are not a cure for many of the more endemic healthcare problems facing the American workforce. As the statistics above clearly show, there’s a deep need for another option.
How concierge health care can help individuals and businesses
Concierge healthcare offers a more comprehensive and personalized approach to healthcare. In concierge medicine, patients have a personal physician who they see on a regular basis (usually at least once per month).
This ongoing relationship allows the physician to get to know the patient’s unique health needs and risk factors, which leads to better preventive care.
In addition, concierge physicians are available 24/seven, which means that patients can always get prompt care for urgent health concerns.
Concierge health care offers a unique solution to many of healthcare’s current problems. By providing patients with a personal physician who they see on a regular basis, concierge medicine allows for better preventive care and prompt treatment of urgent issues.
Keeping the C-suite healthy
When it comes to treating the healthcare issues plaguing many executive branches, the kind of personalized care that concierge medicine provides is invaluable.
Concierge health care is not only more convenient, but it can also lead to better overall health for patients. When executives are able to see their physicians on a regular basis, they are more likely to receive preventive care and catch potential problems early. This kind of personalized care can be a lifesaver for busy executives who might otherwise neglect their health.
With its many benefits, it’s no wonder this type of care is becoming increasingly popular among executives and other busy professionals who are looking for a more convenient and personalized healthcare experience.
If you’re considering concierge medicine, be sure to find a reputable provider who can meet your needs and give you the high-quality care you deserve.
Attracting new talent
Despite its benefits, concierge health care is nowhere near as widely offered or as ubiquitous as executive checkups meaning that companies can offer it as an enticement for employees.
Concierge medicine is a great way to get the high-quality, personalized care you need without having to sacrifice your busy schedule. By offering staff a new and more personalized attitude to healthcare, companies recruit and retain talent, even in the middle of a manpower shortage.
As the statistics, we showed earlier prove, healthcare is now a primary concern for workers when considering a new job. Those businesses that are able to offer quality concierge health care as part of their benefits package are more likely to attract and retain the best employees.
While the cost of offering executive health checkups may seem high, businesses need to weigh that against the cost of losing a key employee to a competitor.
Offering concierge healthcare is a great way to show your employees that you value their well-being, and it’s also an excellent retention tool.
In today’s competitive job market, companies need every advantage they can get to keep their best workers. If you’re not already offering concierge healthcare, now is the time to start. Your employees will thank you for it, and your bottom line will too.
Dealing with stress and mental health
The kind of intimate and personalized service that a concierge physician can offer is simply not possible with a traditional doctor. When you have a specific concern, your executive health doctor will have the time to address it fully without being rushed. You can even schedule appointments outside of normal office hours if your schedule demands it.
This also helps to solve the current issues of stress-related illness and mental health issues in the workplace by ensuring that employees have access to quality care when they need it.
By developing a more personal relationship with their patients, concierge doctors can also get a better sense of each patient’s unique health needs. This allows them to provide more targeted and effective care, which can prevent minor health concerns from becoming major ones.
It also allows patients to discuss more sensitive issues in a confidential setting, without having to worry about being overheard by other patients or staff members.
Because concierge doctors have more time to spend with each patient, they are able to develop deeper relationships with them. This leads to better communication and collaboration between doctors and patients, which can improve overall health outcomes.
Offering this type of health service shows employees that their company cares about their well-being and is invested in their long-term health. This can lead to increased loyalty and productivity from staff, as they feel supported in both their physical and mental health needs.
Concierge medicine is not just a benefit for employees however, it can also be beneficial for employers. By having a healthy and productive workforce, companies can avoid the high costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism, which can cost businesses billions of dollars each year.
Offering concierge medicine is a win-win for both employees and employers, and it’s something that more and more companies are beginning to offer. If your company doesn’t currently offer this type of health service, it may be something to look into. It could end up benefiting both you and your employees in the long run.
Choosing the right concierge healthcare provider
If you’re thinking about making the switch to concierge medicine, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it’s important to find a reputable provider who can offer you the level of care and convenience you need. As with all medical professionals, you’ll want to make sure they’re licensed and insured. You should also take the time to read reviews and speak with other patients to get a better idea of what their experience has been like.
Additionally, it’s important to find a concierge healthcare provider who offers the services that you need. Some providers may only offer basic primary care, while others may offer a more comprehensive range of services. Make sure to ask about things like mental health services, preventative care, and chronic disease management. Once you’ve found a provider, you’re comfortable with, you can start enjoying the many benefits that concierge medicine has to offer.
Be prepared to pay a bit more for this kind of service. But remember that the benefits of concierge medicine are well worth the investment. Your staff will be more productive, and you’ll have more time to focus on your business. In the end, concierge medicine is a smart investment for any business owner.
If you’re looking for better health care for yourself and your employees, concierge medicine may be the answer. With its many benefits, it’s an investment worth making. Find a reputable provider and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re getting the best possible care. Your health is worth it!
How The Executive Health Doc™ can help
Developed specifically as a scalable concierge executive healthcare solution that builds long-term relationships with clients, whole-executive health and wellness is a great way for companies to show their executives that disease prevention and mental health are a priority.
The Executive Health Doc™ team will:
- Conduct a comprehensive health assessment
- Develop a personalized executive health and well-being roadmap
- Provide ongoing support to help you stay on track
- Coordinate your care with specialists
- Open access to your physician
Combining advanced medicine with a personalized approach to wellness, our team can help your executives become or remain healthy and productive with personalized and manageable executive health roadmaps.
Our comprehensive approach to executive health and well-being will make sure that you’re at the forefront of wellness and disease prevention.
Contact us today to learn more about how The Executive Health Doc can benefit your company. We look forward to hearing from you!
About the Author
Shahan Chowdhury, M.D.
The Executive Health Doc™, Dr. Shahan Chowdhury, is an executive health expert and concierge medicine pioneer working with companies that seek to ignite growth in their executives, both professionally and personally. She is consistently ranked in the top 10% of executive health providers in the United States. Her clinic, Tailored Health, is located in Frisco, TX and empowers senior leaders to become the executives of their own health and long-term well-being.
