Back to School Physicals
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 10:06PM
By Angela Ardolino
As the back-to-school season approaches you should start thinking about arranging your child’s annual physical. Part of that decision will be where to take your child. Many health care outlets advertise cheap and quick physicals but you shouldn’t be lured by these claims. Their ability to complete a form and basic exam is not the same as taking them to their pediatrician.
Why should my kids visit their primary physician over a health care outlet?
Firstly, your child’s pediatrician will provide continuity in health care with records of growth, immunization, medical history and ongoing care. This kind of care cannot be duplicated by a walk-in clinic. A perfect example is your child’s standardized growth curve that their primary physician can immediately analyze based on prior measurements. If your doctor spots a new trend it will alert them to ask questions about nutrition, exercise and other symptoms that may point to a medical condition.
What should my child’s physical consist of?
A comprehensive physical will include a review of your child’s weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and vital signs, like blood pressure, heart rate and temperature. Their pediatrician will also check their heart, lungs abdomen, eyes, ears, nose and throat. If your child decides to play a sport this year the doctor should also address recent injuries, cardiac issues, concussion history and asthma. In a perfect world, have your child’s sports physical about 6-weeks before the start of the activity.
Are there questions I should ask at my child’s physical?
Being engaged and participating in the health care process will allow you to know what’s going on and give the doctor the opportunity to explain health care in depth. Before you visit the doctor compile any questions that you may have regarding your kids’ health. Here are a few questions to start:
- Is my child’s weight within a normal, healthy range?
- What is my child’s BMI?
- What vaccinations (if any) does my child need? Why?
If your child plans to play a sport here a few additional questions:
- Is there approved safety equipment I should purchase?
- Should my child get a follow-up exam if they experience a sports injury?
The most important part of your child’s health is being involved and having them communicate with you when something doesn’t feel right. Remember that doctors are not mind readers so if you think something is wrong, say something.
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