Spring marks a natural renewal that invites us to take stock—of our projects, our habits, and also our health. However, in the current Quebec healthcare system, millions of people do not have access to a family doctor. In 2026, approximately 900,000 Quebecers will still be on the waiting list for the First Line Access Point, without regular medical follow-up. In this context, a preventive health check-up in a private clinic represents a concrete option for obtaining a complete assessment of one's health status, detecting problems at an early stage, and taking charge of one's health proactively.
Preventive medicine is based on a fundamental principle: it is always more effective—medically and economically—to detect and treat a disease before it causes severe symptoms. High blood pressure is often silent until a heart attack or stroke. Type 2 diabetes progresses for an average of seven years before diagnosis. Some cancers, when detected early, have cure rates exceeding 90 %. A preventive check-up helps to move out of this zone of medical ignorance.
What is a comprehensive preventive health check-up?
A preventive health check-up goes far beyond a simple blood test. It includes a complete medical history—personal and family history, lifestyle, dietary habits, physical activity level, tobacco and alcohol consumption, sleep quality, stress level—followed by a comprehensive physical examination including blood pressure measurement, heart rate, body mass index, waist circumference, assessment of heart and lung sounds, abdominal examination, and basic neurological evaluation.
The associated biological workup generally includes a fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin for screening diabetes and prediabetes, a complete lipid panel—total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides—a complete blood count to detect anemias and hematological abnormalities, a kidney function assessment with creatinine and estimated GFR, a liver panel, a TSH level to screen for thyroid dysfunction, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a marker of systemic inflammation, and depending on the patient's profile, additional markers such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron and ferritin, or uric acid.
Screenings included based on age and risk factors
A well-conducted preventive screening includes recommendations for age- and risk-profile-appropriate screening tests. Starting at age 45 to 50 – or earlier if there are family risk factors – screening for colorectal cancer through fecal occult blood testing or colonoscopy is recommended. Screening for prostate cancer through PSA testing may be discussed with men starting at age 50 based on their informed preferences. Women should undergo gynecological follow-up including the Pap test for cervical cancer screening, and mammography screening starting at age 50 according to Quebec guidelines.
Global cardiovascular risk assessment—calculated from age, sex, blood pressure, lipid profile, smoking status, and diabetes—allows for stratification of individuals into low, moderate, or high risk categories, and for tailoring preventive interventions accordingly. Osteoporosis screening may be indicated in menopausal women or individuals with osteoporosis risk factors. Screening for anxiety and depressive disorders, often overlooked in health check-ups, is part of a comprehensive preventive approach.
Why not wait for symptoms to consult?
La réticence à consulter en l’absence de symptômes est courante — pourquoi dépenser temps et argent quand on se sent bien ? Pourtant, plusieurs maladies chroniques parmi les plus prévalentes au Québec évoluent de façon asymptomatique pendant des années : l’hypertension artérielle touche un Québécois sur quatre et passe souvent inaperçue jusqu’à une complication. La dyslipidémie — taux de cholestérol anormal — est silencieuse mais accélère l’athérosclérose coronarienne pendant des décennies. Le prédiabète, qui touche environ 22 % des Québécois adultes, est réversible avec des changements de mode de vie lorsqu’il est détecté à temps — mais évolue vers un diabète de type 2 irréversible si rien n’est fait.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease — fatty liver — is present in 25 to 30 % of adults in Quebec and can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma without ever causing symptoms in the early stages. Chronic kidney disease affects about 10 % of the adult population, is asymptomatic until the advanced stages, and early detection can significantly slow its progression. In all these cases, acting before symptoms appear offers a much more favorable therapeutic window than waiting for complications.
The difference between a private clinic and RAMQ for a preventive check-up
In the Quebec public system, systematic annual health check-ups are not among the services covered by the RAMQ for asymptomatic patients without identified risk factors. A family doctor can order targeted tests during a consultation, but the time available for a comprehensive preventive evaluation is limited due to the current medical shortage. A preventive consultation at a private clinic allows for the necessary time—usually between 45 and 90 minutes—to be dedicated to an in-depth assessment, to incorporate all recommended laboratory tests based on the patient's profile, and to receive a structured medical report with a personalized follow-up plan.
It is important to note that the fees for a health check-up at a private clinic are not reimbursed by the RAMQ — this is a private medicine service accessible without a prescription. However, some group insurance plans or employer health spending accounts may partially cover these costs. Medical consultations for health issues identified during the check-up, prescriptions, and prescribed follow-up examinations remain covered by the RAMQ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preventive Health Checkups
How often should one get a full health check-up?
The recommended frequency varies by age and risk factors. For a young, healthy adult between 20 and 40 years old with no specific risk factors, a check-up every two to three years is generally sufficient. Between 40 and 60 years old, an annual check-up or one every two years is more strongly recommended, as the risk of chronic diseases increases significantly with age. After 60, an annual check-up is advisable. In the presence of risk factors — a family history of cardiovascular disease or cancer, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity — more frequent monitoring is indicated regardless of age group.
Is a health checkup different for women and men?
The core of the assessment — blood count, cardiovascular evaluation, anthropometric measurements — is identical for both sexes. Differences lie in specific screenings: women benefit from integrated gynecological follow-up including Pap tests, discussion on mammography based on age, and assessment of bone health after menopause. In men, discussion on prostate cancer screening and assessment of testosterone levels in case of symptoms are specific components. Cardiovascular risk assessment takes into account biological differences between the sexes, notably estrogen protection in premenopausal women.
How to prepare for a health check-up?
For a check-up including blood tests, it is generally recommended to fast for at least eight to twelve hours—plain water is allowed—to obtain valid results for blood sugar, lipid profile, and certain other parameters. It is helpful to bring a list of your current medications and supplements, past test results if available, and your insurance information if applicable. Avoiding intense physical activity the day before can skew certain biological markers like muscle enzymes. Women may want to note the date of their last menstrual period, as some values vary depending on the cycle.
Can I get a health check-up at Clinique Omicron without a family doctor?
Yes, that is precisely one of the reasons for this service. In several of our branches in Quebec, it is possible to undergo a comprehensive preventive health check-up without needing a dedicated family doctor, a referral, or a long wait. The doctor who performs your check-up will provide you with a complete report and can refer you to specialists or further appropriate examinations if any abnormalities are detected. For individuals registered with the Guichet d’accès à la première ligne who are waiting for a family doctor, an annual check-up at a private clinic ensures regular medical follow-up in the interim.
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