Where can you find DOT physicals? What do you need to do? How can you prepare yourself? Read further to get their answers.
Do Your Local Urgent Care Centers Provide DOT Physical?
You can easily obtain DOT physicals at any urgent care center and other types of walk-in clinics. In fact, it is a much easy and simpler approach than your physician’s office. It’s a good idea to call the clinic and schedule an appointment so that the medical examiner is in the building when you arrive. However, most clinics facilitate walk-ins.
What will the DOT Physical do?
Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics have to hire medical examiners that are certified and trained to perform DOT physicals. The experts have to evaluate your current health in some specific areas:
- Vision
- Blood pressure
- Heart health
- Hearing
- Respiratory health
- Health history
If you have been suffering from any condition, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, or high blood pressure, you must discuss your conditions and tell whether they are in control. Also, make sure to discuss that you are using a safe prescribed medication.
What do You need to Know Before Arriving?
Before you visit a clinic for the DOT physical, you need to come prepared. People are advised to bring their prescription or full list of current medications and medical history records. The process also requires you to go through a drug test.
Therefore, make sure to drink a lot of water before you come to prepare yourself for a urine sample. You might also need to give a blood sample. Additionally, call the clinic before you step out of the house to determine whether you need to fast for the blood work to get accurate results.
An Overview of Physical Exam
The expert will do a thorough physical exam that will include different categories:
- General Appearance
- Neurological exam (impaired equilibrium, ataxia, coordination or speech pattern, asymmetric deep tendon reflexes)
- Mouth and throat (to look for problems swallowing or breathing)
- Eyes (macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, etc.)
- Ears (perforated eardrums, scarring of the tympanic membrane, etc.)
- Heart (murmurs, pacemaker, extra sounds, etc.)
- Abdomen and Viscera (muscle weakness, enlarged liver, viscera)
- Lungs and chest (impaired respiratory functions, abnormal breathing, cyanosis, etc.)
- Vascular (varicose veins, abnormal pulse, carotid)
- Extremities (limb impaired)
- Genito-urinary (hernias)
- Spine, other musculoskeletal (tenderness, previous surgery, limitation of motion, etc.)
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, urgent care centers do provide DOT physicals. If you still doubt, you can contact the clinic before you go to take details about the procedure.
