What should I ask my primary care provider to check?

Author: Kelsey Zhao | Reviewer: James Milligan | Published: 19 March 2025 | Updated: ~

SCI-specific health checks

Checklists made for people with SCI can help keep you and your PCP on top of routine exams and tests. They can also help you find the language to ask and talk about health issues.

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) has checklists for people with SCI.

Illustration accompanying What should I ask my primary care provider to check?

If your PCP is interested in more in-depth information, case studies, advice, and guidelines for these checklists and SCI-specific care, they can check out the

from ASIA’s peer-reviewed journal. For brief overviews on managing common SCI complications in primary care, they can visit the

section on the SCIRE Professional website.

Visit SCIRE Professional for more information on Primary Care for SCI

Standard health checks

PCPs should also do the same general health checks and routine screenings that they would for any other patient. The College of Family Physicians of Canada provides Preventative Care Checklists.

Sexual and reproductive health care

Both the public and some health professionals can have the misconception that people with physical disabilities are not sexually active, at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), interested in sexual activity, or interested in having kids. Initiate a conversation with your PCP if you have questions or concerns about sexual health (challenges with sexual activity, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases), reproductive health (fertility, pregnancy, family planning), or menstruation/menopause.