Importance of scheduling back-to-school physical during the COVID-19 pandemic

Although the end of the 2020 school year was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and you may have some uncertainty about your child’s upcoming academic year, back-to-school season is coming soon. Scheduling a back-to-school physical exam is important. Instead of waiting until late summer to schedule your child’s physical, now may be a better time.

Late summer often is busy with purchasing school supplies, finding new clothes and wrapping up summer vacations. It's a smart idea for all parents to get their child a school physical every other year after age 6.

Getting a back-to-school physical done before summer ends is important for a variety of reasons, including:

Monitoring developmental process

During a routine physical, your primary care provider will check all of your child's body systems to ensure there are no apparent problems. This allows you to catch any problems early and get your child the best early intervention resources available before the next school year starts.

Reviewing immunizations

A physical involves checking your child's immunization records to ensure that he or she is up to date with all required immunizations. Your child's school may require this information before the start of the new school year.

Sharing safety information

Safe behaviors, such as wearing a helmet, using a seat belt, and wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, also may be discussed during your child's physical. These all are good reminders for behaviors that will keep your child safe as they move into the new school year.

Discussing athlete care

Student athletes may need additional discussion about healthy eating, safe exercise practices or how to manage a physical condition while playing sports. Getting an injury checked early can help ensure your child is recovering properly, and ready to play sports and be active again this fall. Athlete discussions may include:

• How your child can manage sports training
• Managing playing sports after a concussion
• Preventing injuries

Read how our Sports Medicine teams have helped others.

Get the most from a back-to-school physical

The best way to maximize the effectiveness of the school physical is to go in with a plan. Make a list of questions you have about your child's health. Do you have specific concerns about your child's health or development? Is your child falling behind in some way? Keep in mind that apparent cognitive or behavioral problems, such as being distracted or disruptive in class, sometimes can have physical origins, such as poor eyesight.

Think about these issues:

• Has your child complained of any pain, fatigue, dizziness or digestive problems?
• Has your child reached important developmental milestones on time?
• Has your child experienced any learning difficulties or other classroom problems?
• Have your child’s eating habits changed?
• Does your child seem anxious or depressed?
• How well does your child sleep?

Your child's provider likely will address many of these points through the physical. However, there will be time for you to ask questions during the exam to ensure you are fully supported in your child's overall health and well-being.

Read more about children's health on our blog.

Jane Byrd, M.D., is a pediatrician in Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.