In Quebec, taking the time for a complete health check-up is one of the most sensible preventive decisions you can make for your health. However, with the delays in the public system and the difficulty in finding a family doctor, many Quebecers put this step off. Private medical clinics now offer a concrete solution to access a complete health check-up without waiting months.
What is a comprehensive health check-up?
A comprehensive health check-up, also known as a periodic medical examination (PME), is a global evaluation of your health status at a specific moment in time. It is not just a doctor's visit for a specific problem: it is a proactive approach aimed at detecting health problems before they become serious.
What it generally includes
- Complete medical history (medical history, family history, lifestyle)
- Complete physical examination (blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, auscultation)
- Blood draw with metabolic panel (blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney and liver function, complete blood count)
- Screenings tailored to your age and sex (colorectal cancer screening, mammography, Pap test, etc.)
- Updated vaccine assessment
- Discussion on mental health and general well-being
- Review of current medications
How often should I get a check-up?
The recommendations of the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) vary according to age and risk factors:
- Healthy adults aged 18 to 34: every 2 to 3 years
- Adults aged 35 to 49: every 1 to 2 years
- Adults 50 and over: annually
- Individuals with chronic illnesses or high-risk factors: as recommended by their doctor
The benefits of a preventive health check-up
Early detection of diseases
Several serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and certain cancers, develop for a long time without symptoms. Regular health check-ups allow for early detection, when treatments are most effective and least invasive.
Optimizing your lifestyle habits
A check-up with a doctor is the perfect opportunity to discuss your diet, physical activity level, sleep, and stress management. These conversations often lead to concrete recommendations that have a real impact on long-term quality of life.
Peace of mind
Knowing your results are normal has considerable value. And if something needs follow-up, it's better to know now than in five years.
Health check-up and RAMQ: what is covered?
In Quebec, the periodic medical examination is covered by the RAMQ when performed by your family doctor. The problem: with the shortage of family doctors, half of adult Quebecers do not have one. And those who do have one often have to wait several weeks to get a check-up appointment.
Private medical clinics offer direct access health check-ups, sometimes within days of your request. Some services included in the check-up are charged privately (expedited consultations, additional tests not covered by the RAMQ), but the basic covered procedures can be billed to the RAMQ if the doctor is a general practitioner registered with the RAMQ.
Specialized health check-ups: who are they for?
Executive health check
Some private clinics offer executive health check-ups that include more in-depth investigations: cardiovascular assessment with resting and stress ECG, preventive imaging tests (abdominal ultrasound, bone densitometry), and consultations with nutritionists and preventive medicine specialists.
Preconception check-up
For couples considering pregnancy, a preconception check-up helps identify and correct risk factors before conception: folic acid deficiency, transmissible infections, hereditary genetic diseases, missing vaccines.
Travel return report
After a prolonged stay in a tropical or at-risk area, a post-travel check-up can detect imported infections (malaria, hepatitis, intestinal parasites) that may be asymptomatic initially.
How to prepare for your health check-up?
To make your review as complete and useful as possible, prepare in advance:
- List all your current medications, including supplements and over-the-counter drugs.
- Prepare a list of your medical history and that of your immediate family.
- Note the symptoms that concern you, even if they seem minor
- If blood tests are planned, ask if fasting is required.
- Bring your previous lab results if you have them
Omicron Clinic
Need to consult a doctor?
Treatment within 24-48 hours. In-clinic or telemedicine, anywhere in Quebec.
Insurance receipts. 7j/7. No family doctor required.
