As employers continue to shift insurance expenses to employees, consumers are taking a more cost-conscious approach to health matters. Experts say patients are starting to view each interaction with a physician as if it were a consumer transaction. And insurers are encouraging it.

Of course, most people still don't know what to expect from a basic physical examination. Making matters worse, they're often too intimidated by a doctor's white coat to stick up for them.

The annual physical is a bit of a myth, especially for young, healthy adults. The government also only recommends an exam for such patients only every few years. To find out what else you need to know before stepping foot in the doctor's office, read on.

Doctors agree that patients must do their homework if they want to get the most from their doctor's appointments. Knowing what information is needed and how to get it is critical. Certain pieces of crucial information can't be obtained from a basic physical examination, and can only come from patients.

How do you proceed? First, make sure you track down your medical records and compile a full family medical history. If you're seeing a physician you've been with for a number of years, keep him or her updated on any new conditions that have arised in your family over the last year. The fact is, if your father, say, died of heart disease, you're more likely to develop it too, regardless of how well you take care of yourself. The more information your doctor has, the better.

Equally important: brown-bag all of your medications, especially ones prescribed by other doctors, and bring them with you. And don't forget to include any herbal supplements or over-the-counter medicines you use. While you might be a little embarrassed to admit that you're taking ginkgo extract, it's crucial that your physician know everything that goes into your body. Just because you didn't need a prescription to buy that memory-enhancing tonic that doesn't mean it won't interact poorly with another medication you're already taking.

Use your 15 minutes of physician face time wisely. Come prepared with three to five written questions and make sure they're focused on the real issues that concern you the most. If you go in and are worry about the Ebola virus, that's not a pertinent discussion. Instead, mention the aches and pains or the other concerns that you have thought about during the year but didn't think were worthy of an office visit.

If you aren't sure where to start, it is recommended that you talk about any physical activity you are no longer able to do which lab tests or physical examinations might miss. As a patient, you should not be afraid to ask about conditions that might carry a stigma, such as depression, sexual dysfunction or incontinence. All three of these conditions can be treated.

One word of advice: Get to the point. Don't go off on a tangent when listing your concerns. Ask a brief question and then let the physician take over. This will lead to a faster diagnosis and allow you more time to discuss additional concerns.

Read and write is a good habit to have especially when you can't and you need to communicate with people.

It's always a good idea to know what to expect before you don the blue gown. Go online and check out the various websites on preventive health guidelines. Read about recommended screening tests and immunizations for patients based on age, gender and individual risk factors. Many insurance companies provide more personalized interactive screening tools for their members. With this information, you'll be better able to judge whether your exam seems sufficiently thorough.

You might be surprised to find out, for example, that the average woman under the age of 45 doesn't need to have her cholesterol checked. Equally surprising: Tetanus shots aren't just for kids. Adults actually need them every 10 years. With no statistics to back this up, we'd bet most adults haven't had one since their 21st birthday.

Most of us are dazzled by fancy diagnostic tests. But sometimes it's the simple measures, such as weight and vital signs that are the most important. One of the most important vital signs to check is blood pressure. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to long-term ailments such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), congestive heart failure or even stroke. And while many of us fear cancer, heart disease remains one of the highest causes of death globally.

You should not always expect a large number of tests to be given at any time. As mentioned earlier, screening should be based on age and gender. Additional tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG) for heart problems or a fasting glucose test for diabetes, are sometimes done based on risk factors and family history.

Sometimes, a little aggressiveness goes a long way. For example, cholesterol tests may not be recommended for women until age 45, but most doctors would agree that it isn't a bad idea to check it sooner. High cholesterol can be combated with diet, exercise and medication- the sooner you start, the better, right?

What happens if, at the end of your appointment, you think your doctor missed something? Be a squeaky wheel. All doctors are human and can be pretty high handed. But if you cite information from a trusted source, there's no reason why a doctor should object. To help build your case, print out a copy of the preventive guide and bring it with you during your physical.

Always listen to what your body is trying to tell you. While we have all been taught to trust our doctors, a little persistence can go a long way. Make sure you get the most out of your physical exam today!