School Physical Exam Clinic in Clio, MI
If your child requires a school physical, come to Clio Urgent Care Port Matilda PA today! Our kind and compassionate professionals Scott Bonzheim, MS, PA-C., and his team are experienced in performing school physicals and can help determine the health of your child. For more information on our school physicals, contact our office or simply walk in! You can also schedule your appointment online. We are conveniently located at 4272 W. Vienna Road Clio, MI 48420.
Table of Contents:
What is a school physical exam?
What does a physical for school consist of?
What happens in a physical exam for school?
What is the difference between a school physical and a sports physical?
School is both mentally and physically challenging, which is why it is important to make sure our children are in good health before taking part. Education does not just help kids learn, it helps them grow and pushes them beyond their known limits. Because the classroom is such an important learning environment, it is imperative that each child receives a physical examination to ensure that they are fit to learn and will not interfere with how other children learn. That is why school physicals are in place, as they are an easy way to determine the health of our children so they can learn and enjoy school.
A school physical is a health exam required by all students before they are able to attend classes. These physicals test a child’s readiness and fitness for school, ensuring they are in good health. One of the reasons why these exams are in place is to stop the spread of communicable diseases. A school physical typically consists taking measurements of height, weight, and blood pressure and checking eyes, flexibility, heart and lungs, ears, nose and throat, and feeling for potential physical abnormalities.
A school physical consists of the following parts:
• Routine Physical — This comprehensive check of your child’s body usually includes recording height and weight, taking blood pressure and pulse readings, and checking the heart, lungs, and abdomen, as well as the skin, eyes, ears, throat, mouth, nose and teeth.
• Medical History — Reviewing medical history is important for detecting patterns of disease and hereditary chronic illnesses. There may be paperwork for parents or guardians to fill out, so it is important to come prepared. They will likely discuss current medical conditions such as allergies and illnesses such as asthma or diabetes.
• Preventative Screening — Illnesses and chronic diseases may be easier to treat or even prevented when detected in early childhood. Preventative screenings are a good time to talk about safety, including everything from bicycle helmet safety to concerns about alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and sexual activity.
• Behavioral Development — During this part of the physical, the examining physician will assess the child’s behavioral and intellectual development. They may evaluate self-esteem, ask about performance at school, emotional regulation, and any changes in the child’s behavior.
• Immunizations — Before they can attend, some schools require that kids have certain immunizations. These may include Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis A (HAV), inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria (Hib), varicella (chickenpox), MCV4 (meningitis), rotavirus, human papillomavirus (HPV), and influenza.
Back to school physical exams will vary based on the child’s age, their health history and lifestyle factors, but typically consist of:
• Recording height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and BMI
• Checking vital signs, heart, lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, nose, ears, throat, abdomen and skin
• Evaluating vision, joints, muscles, and spine
• Reviewing medical history, including previous conditions and medications
Each physical has a specific purpose and neither can replace the other. A sports physical is much more limited than a regular physical because it focuses on an athlete’s health history and physical exam only as it relates to sports. On the other hand, a school physical includes more aspects of health, including how the health of each child not only affects themselves but also how it affects those around them.
If your child needs a physical exam for school, bring them to Clio Urgent Care! Our kind and compassionate professionals are experienced in performing school physicals and can help your little one participate in important activities this school year. Contact us today to book an appointment, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 4272 W. Vienna Road, Clio, MI 48420. Our office is open seven days a week: Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 9 PM, and Saturday, Sunday & Holidays from 9 AM to 6 PM. We serve patients from Clio MI, Montrose MI, Birch Run MI, Mount Morris MI, Beecher MI, Genesee County, MI, and surrounding areas.
