MADISON, Wis. — The school year may not be over yet, but local health care providers are urging parents to get sports physicals for next school year on the books early.
In order to avoid a late scramble this summer and to make sure your child gets in, you should consider scheduling those physicals now, UW Health says.
The physicals can also be beneficial for kids who may not be playing sports or provide your sports-playing teens an opportunity to talk with their primary care doctor about anything else.
“Pre-participation physicals are a great opportunity for high schoolers to have a more comprehensive well visit with their primary care provider,” Dr. David Bernhardt said. “Sports physicals are often the only time that adolescents schedule time with their pediatrician outside of visits for injuries or illness, so it makes sense that we use this time to evaluate these kids for more than just their readiness to engage in sports.”
Dr. Bernhardt says those visits can also include discussions about the teens’ mental health.
He also says sports physicals should always be handled by the primary care provider to make sure there is continuity in the care for your child, allowing the doctor to identify changes over time and react appropriately because they have a better idea of your child’s medical history.
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