Physicals

Annual physicals are a great time to discuss any health concerns you may have, review your current medications, and receive health care screenings that are appropriate for you based on your age, gender, medical conditions, and risk factors.

During your annual physical, your Sim Family Clinic doctor will check your overall health, including blood pressure, heart rate, and your eyes, ears, nose, and throat. The doctor will discuss any health or wellness concerns you may have, so it’s the ideal time to bring up questions.

A blood test is usually part of the annual physical, which is used as a screening for a wide variety of medical conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and more. If you require any vaccines – such as an annual flu vaccine – this may also be provided during your physical.

For men, a testicular exam and prostate screening may also be a part of the annual physical. The former involves manually checking the testicles for lumps or sensitivity. A prostate cancer screening may include a blood test as well as a digital rectal examination, where your doctor uses a lubricated, gloved finger to manually examine the size and shape of your prostate, which is located in front of the rectum.

Many employers require a pre-employment physical for potential employees. This typically focuses on whether a worker is physically capable of performing the job in question. For some types of work (child care workers and healthcare workers, for example), if an employee is required to be up to date on certain vaccines, those shots may be provided as part of the employment physical. Sometimes, a drug or alcohol screening – via a blood test or urinalysis may be part of the exam.

Sim Family Clinic in Houston, Texas, includes USCIS-approved physicians who can conduct immigration exams for adults and children.

If you or a family member is applying to adjust your status to become a permanent resident of the U.S., your application requires completion of I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record by a USCIS-approved physician, like those at Sim Family Clinic.

The purpose of the I-693 immigration exam is to ensure you do not pose a public health risk. When performing the I-693 immigration exam, in addition to an overall physical exam, the doctor will review your vaccination history and can administer the ones you may need. You may also be tested for tuberculosis and syphilis, two of the communicable diseases the country’s immigration laws require testing for.

Please call Sim Family Clinic at (281) 893-5870 to schedule your I-693 immigration exam. Our friendly and helpful staff will go through what you need to bring with you to the appointment, which should include:

• Form I-693
• Valid government-issued photo ID
• Your immunization record
• Payment

Once your I-693 is complete, we will provide you with a copy for you to submit to the USCIS.

Your child’s school may require a physical be completed prior to the start of each new school year. During a school physical, your family doctor will ensure that your child is healthy and developing appropriately for his or her age. Vaccinations that are needed are given as a part of this exam.

Sports physicals, on the other hand, may be required before your child can join a sport. During this type of physical exam, your family doctor will examine your child’s overall health as well as his or her ability to move as needed for the sport in question. The strength and flexibility of joints may be noted, as well as your child’s gait and muscle strength. Sports physicals are not just for children – these exams are a good way to ensure anyone – child or adult – is physically capable of carrying out the types of movements required in a specific sport without injury.

In a camp physical, your family doctor will ensure your child is physically able to conduct the activities of the type of camp in question.

Annual well-woman examinations focus on the health of a woman’s reproductive organs. The exam typically includes a breast exam (a screening to identify lumps in the breast, which may indicate breast cancer) and a pelvic exam. The pelvic exam is done to look for issues with the vagina, cervix, or vulva. It may also include a Pap smear, in which a swab of cervical tissue is taken for laboratory testing to identify possible signs of cervical cancer. A mammogram may be ordered, depending on your age and risk factors for breast cancer. Tests for sexually transmitted diseases may also be ordered, depending on a patient’s concerns.