Now is Time to Assess Children’s Health and Sports Readiness

Back-to-School: Time to Assess Children’s Health and Sports Readiness; Back-to-school physicals now offered evenings and weekends – ideal for working families

Phoenix, AZ – It’s back-to-school time and parents often spend more time thinking about school supplies and clothes than they do their children’s health. Dr. Jeffrey Vaughn, Director of Sports Medicine at Phoenix Children’s Hospital reminds parents of the importance of back-to-school physicals, particularly for children participating in sports. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an annual physical for children from age 2 to 18. Many school districts require students to receive an examination to participate in sports.  Physicals provide parents an opportunity to access a child’s growth and development and to prevent future injuries. Appointments for school physicals often fill up quickly, so don’t wait too long to make an appointment.

General Physicals

• Children should have their weight, height, blood pressure, heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat, vision and hearing checked.
• The doctor will also evaluate posture, joints, strength, and flexibility.
• Immunizations will be updated.
• Parents should discuss any health or emotional concerns. 

Sports Physicals Fast Facts:  Pre-participation physical examinations help determine whether it’s safe for a child to participate in a particular sport.

• Athletes should receive physicals about six weeks before the sports season begins so there is enough time to follow up, if necessary.
• Young athletes should have a pre-participation physical annually.
• There are two main parts to a sports physical: the medical history and the physical exam.
• The medical history is the most important part of the sports physical exam, so take time to answer the questions carefully.  Looking at patterns of illness is a very good indicator of any potential conditions your child may have.
• Pre-participation physicals allow doctors to evaluate and correct any specific problems.
• A pre-season physical should detect conditions that might predispose young athletes to injury.
• A doctor will also ask questions about use of drugs, alcohol, or dietary supplements, including steroids or other “performance enhancers” and weight-loss supplements, because these can affect a child’s health.
• Some schools may require that a PPE include an electrocardiogram, or EKG, for all athletes. An EKG measures the electrical activity of a person’s heart.
• During the exam, the doctor may even have some good training tips and be able to give you some ideas for avoiding injuries
• If someone other than your family doctor performs the physical, send the report to the child’s doctor so their records can be updated.

Where to Get a Physical
Phoenix Children’s Specialty and Urgent Care Centers – East Valley Center (corner of Southern Avenue and Higley Road in Mesa) and the new Northwest Valley Center (Loop 101 and 51st Avenue in Glendale) now offer back-to-school and sports physicals for children and adolescents. The physicals are offered during urgent care hours from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and from noon to 11 p.m. on weekends. No appointment is necessary as walk-ins are welcome.

The $25 fee can be paid by cash, check, or credit card as funds are not applied to insurance. Parents are reminded to bring all documents and forms required by the school or institution. The phone number is (480) 833-KIDS for the East Valley Center, and (623) 972-KIDS for the Northwest Center or log onto www.phoenixchildrens.com/urgentcare.

Submitted on behalf of Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix Children’s Hospital is Arizona’s only licensed children’s hospital, providing world-class care in more than 40 pediatric specialties to our state’s sickest kids. Though Phoenix Children’s is one of the ten largest freestanding children’s hospitals in the country, rapid population growth in Arizona means the Hospital must grow as well. Phoenix Children’s recently announced a $588 million expansion plan to bring its special brand of family-centered care to even more patients and families. The plan includes a significant upgrade of the Hospital’s current campus, an aggressive physician recruitment effort, and new satellite centers in high growth areas of the Valley. For more information, visit the Hospital’s Web site at http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/.

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