SERVICES

SCHOOL PHYSICAL

As the new school year approaches, ensuring your child’s health and wellness is paramount. School physicals, required by most educational institutions, play a crucial role in this process. At Houston Family Physicians, we’re dedicated to providing thorough wellness checkups that not only meet school requirements but also give you peace of mind.

SERVICES

SCHOOL PHYSICAL

As the new school year approaches, ensuring your child’s health and wellness is paramount. School physicals, required by most educational institutions, play a crucial role in this process. At Houston Family Physicians, we’re dedicated to providing thorough wellness checkups that not only meet school requirements but also give you peace of mind.

What are school physicals and why are they so important anyway?

School physicals are more than just a formality; they are a critical step in monitoring your child’s health. These exams:

  • Ensure that your child is physically ready to participate in school activities and sports.
  • Provide an opportunity to update vaccinations, keeping your child and their peers safe.
  • Allow for early detection of any health issues, ensuring timely intervention.

 

What to Expect During a School Physical

Our school physicals are designed to be non-invasive, efficient, and comprehensive, including:

  • A review of your child’s medical history, including family illnesses, past conditions, surgeries, injuries, and current medications.
  • Measurements of weight and height to monitor growth.
  • Checks of vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Vision and hearing tests.
  • Examination of the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat.
  • Evaluation of posture, joints, strength, and flexibility.

 

The Significance of Medical History

A detailed medical history is an integral part of the school physical. It helps our doctors identify any conditions that could affect your child’s health or participation in school activities. We encourage you to involve your child in this process, helping them understand their health history and its importance.

To make your visit as smooth as possible:

  • Gather any previous health records and immunization documentation.
  • Prepare a list of any current medications, including dosages.
  • Think about any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s health or participation in sports.

What are school physicals and why are they so important anyway?

School physicals are more than just a formality; they are a critical step in monitoring your child’s health. These exams:

  • Ensure that your child is physically ready to participate in school activities and sports.
  • Provide an opportunity to update vaccinations, keeping your child and their peers safe.
  • Allow for early detection of any health issues, ensuring timely intervention.

 

What to Expect During a School Physical

Our school physicals are designed to be non-invasive, efficient, and comprehensive, including:

  • A review of your child’s medical history, including family illnesses, past conditions, surgeries, injuries, and current medications.
  • Measurements of weight and height to monitor growth.
  • Checks of vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Vision and hearing tests.
  • Examination of the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat.
  • Evaluation of posture, joints, strength, and flexibility.

 

The Significance of Medical History

A detailed medical history is an integral part of the school physical. It helps our doctors identify any conditions that could affect your child’s health or participation in school activities. We encourage you to involve your child in this process, helping them understand their health history and its importance.

To make your visit as smooth as possible:

  • Gather any previous health records and immunization documentation.
  • Prepare a list of any current medications, including dosages.
  • Think about any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s health or participation in sports.

Why do you need to provide so much medical history?

The medical history section usually involves questions like:

Serious illnesses among family members

Illnesses the child was diagnosed with when they were younger (asthma, diabetes, etc)

  • Previous hospitalizations or surgeries
  • Past injuries
  • When your child has ever passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain, or trouble breathing during exercise
  • Any current medications

Providing this information may possibly be the most important part of the exam. You should take your time answering these questions and have your child help so they know their medical history. Doctors look at this information to consider possible conditions a child might have.

School physicals are non-invasive and straightforward. The doctor will:

Record weight and height

  • Check vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, etc.)
  • Test your child’s vision and hearing
  • Check heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat
  • Evaluate your child’s posture, joints, strength, and flexibility

 

Throughout the screening, we will let you know if anything is a cause for concern or requires further evaluation. It is always the goal of FHCSL to make our medical exams as pleasant and relaxed as possible. The more comfortable your child is, the more accurate our assessment can be.

How Can We Help You?

We understand that finding the right medical provider is one of the most important decisions you and your family can make. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please reach out to us.

To reach a department or person at the Houston Family Physicians, please contact us by phone.