Pella Regional Health Center is encouraging parents of student athletes to schedule annual well-child exams this summer to complete the sport physical form needed for their child’s athletic activities for the upcoming school year. If a child has already had a wellness physical this year, sport physical forms can be dropped off at any Pella Regional medical clinic and be completed with no appointment needed.
Pella Regional staff members believe that a well-child exam is more comprehensive than a sport physical and offers well-child exams rather than sport physicals for a variety of reasons.
During a well-child exam, Pella Regional physicians address a child’s overall well-being, which often includes things that are unrelated to sports. While a traditional sports physical is limited and focused primarily on the child’s muscles, bone and joints, a well-child exam is more comprehensive to provide a full evaluation of your child and their overall health.
What happens during a well-child exam?
- Review child’s medical history.
- Address questions and concerns from the parents or child.
- Review medications.
- A physical exam (more detailed than a sports physical).
- Check height and weight, and compare those to measurements from prior well child exams to see how a child/teen is growing.
- Developmental screenings.
- Review preventative care.
- Other screening and lab tests due for the child. These can include (but are not limited to): hearing and vision screening; screening for anemia; screening for high cholesterol; and screening for depression and other mental health issues.
- Creating a plan of care for any problems found.
- Referrals, if needed.
- Immunizations, if needed.
- Age-appropriate wellness education including diet, sleep, school, interpersonal and family behaviors and safety.
- Development
- Nutritional status
- Chronic medical issues
- Past injuries and how they relate to the sport in which he is planning to participate
By having their child's primary care physician perform the well-child exam all medical records are together and can be reviewed for past concerns that may have otherwise been forgotten. Depending on insurance, a well-child exam may be covered under preventative care.
To schedule a child’s annual well-child appointment, go to www.pellahealth.org/wellchild to request an appointment today, or call 641-621-2200. If you are enrolled in MyPellaHealth Patient Portal, you can also schedule your appointment through self-scheduling.
Original source can be found here.
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