Don’t forget to Schedule those Back-to-School and Sports Physicals Now.
By Patricia Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Family Nurse Practitioner at Health Partnership Clinic
With summer upon us, it is a great time to begin preparing for the next school year to start! One consideration all of us parents should have for the summer schedule is when we can get our kids into the doctor’s office for next year’s school physical. While it may seem redundant to have to go back for another physical year after year, it is an important part of managing your children’s health and setting them up for success each school year.
School Physicals Key to Learning and Success
School physicals might feel like another thing on your to-do list, but really, it’s an important piece to the puzzle of each school year. Children seem to grow in the blink of an eye, and their needs are constantly changing. At the annual appointment, the provider seeing your child will have a chance to obtain updated measurements, screen for vision and hearing changes, and get an overall picture of where your child is developmentally. All pieced together, these factors contribute greatly to the success each child will have throughout the school year!
As a parent or guardian, it also gives you the chance to ask pertinent questions about what to expect over the next year of your child’s development. It opens doors to conversations that are crucial to understanding what to expect next for each individual child. These conversations and the overall physical exam will best determine what needs, if any, your child might have as they enter the next school year.
Sports Physicals Key for School-Aged Athletes
A sports physical is a separate type of visit, although depending on when it is needed, your provider may complete it along with the school physical. To participate in sports at a certain level in the state of Kansas, a child must have completed a comprehensive evaluation for full participation. The sports physical takes an in-depth look at the patient’s history as well as the family history. Many problems and health conditions can be caught during these evaluations that can help reduce morbidity and mortality through organized activities. When left unaddressed, your child is at a greater risk of major health problems and concerns related to participation in strenuous activity. Not only is it necessary to have this done for the school, but it is also imperative this full assessment of a child is done for their own safety.
Healthcare Close to Home and Affordable
At Health Partnership Clinic, there are a variety of providers available to see patients for their annual school physicals and sports physicals, as well as all ailments that come up in between. A variety of practitioners are in place with multiple different focuses within our four locations that can see not only your child but the rest of the family as well.
At the Paola clinic, we strive to provide a welcoming environment and maintain a community feel while also respecting the individual care that you and your family need. To schedule an appointment, call 913-294-9223 and speak with one of our patient representatives. Same day appointments are available in each of our clinics.
Don’t wait – get a head start on the 2024-2025 school year so you can make sure your child goes into the next grade well prepared for another successful year of learning!
