The form is due, what do you do? We've all been there. Paperwork piles up, and sports physicals sneak up on us just before our children's sport or activity begins.
To make life easier (and what parent wouldn't like that), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends asking to have a sports physical when scheduling your child's next routine well-child visit.
All middle-school through college kids benefit from a sports physical during well-child visit. The reason is simple: All kids are athletes―the high school soccer player, the junior high performer in the school musical and the skateboarding middle schooler down your block. You don't have to play an organized sport to be an athlete.
Many children participate in physically demanding activities like snowboarding, skiing, jogging, climbing and hiking. Other children are not physically active at all. All of these children should receive a sports physical from their pediatrician, also known as their medical home. The AAP is against mass physicals (such as in a school gymnasium) and using urgent care settings. These places often lack privacy and a healthcare provider who knows your child and has access to past medical records.
Read the full AAP article on Sports Physicals here.
If your child needs a physical form filled out by us, keep in mind the following requirements:
If your child has had a well visit within the last year.....
You will need to schedule a form visit appointment (call the office or schedule on our website), where a medical assistant will take vitals and update your child's health history. This is so that we can determine what, if any, changes may have occurred in your child's health since the last well visit. Before arriving for your appointment, please make sure all parental information on the form is completed. Many forms have a separate section for parents to complete, or an area where personal information such as name, address, phone numbers, etc. needs filled in. If this information is not completed before you leave the office, we cannot finish completion of the form. Once the form is completed (please allow a minimum of 48 hours), we will either return it to you securely through your patient portal, or you may pick it up in person at our office. If you prefer, when you provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your form, we will mail it back to you. There is a $20 fee for form visits.
If your child has NOT had a well visit within the last year.....
You will need to schedule a well visit appointment (call the office or schedule on our website), and your form will be completed during that visit. Before arriving for your appointment, please make sure all parental information on the form is completed. Many forms have a separate section for parents to complete, or an area where personal information such as name, address, phone numbers, etc. needs filled in. This will save time during your visit and prevent any distractions from discussions with the doctor, etc. if this is done ahead of time. There is no form fee when the form is completed at the well visit.