When do I need a doctor?

It sounds like a silly question, but it's not. When you're sick with something you can't take care of yourself, you need a doctor. When you're healthy, you need to see a doctor once a year in general to go over your health maintenance issues. Before you travel to high-altitude regions or foreign countries, you also need medical advice. When you're planning to become pregnant or when you're already pregnant, you need see a obstetrician, or a family physician with an obstetric practice. When you're about to have a baby, your baby will need a pediatrician or a family physician who takes care of babies. If you're a student, athlete, commercial driver or pilot, etc., you may be required to have a physical on a regular basis.