Summer time means it's time to schedule your sports physical exam season. This type of doctor’s appointment is required for student athletes to participate in athletics in grades 8 trough 12. There are many advantages to scheduling these appointments with your child's primary care physician rather than obtaining them at a high school or an urgent care facility.

The obvious focus for many of these appointments are on the health and stability of the musculoskeletal system and the heart. But when seeing your child's primary care physician we will also address mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. We have discussions about the risks of sexual activity and substance abuse. We also provide guidance on what to expect as their bodies are maturing and changing.

Over the last year the COVID-19 pandemic has caused chaos and change all around us. Our children's lives have often been flipped upside down. Many kids are struggling with anxiety and depression. We perform a depression and anxiety screen on every adolescent patient. These are given to the patient to fill out privately so they can be honest and not afraid of what their parents might think. This allows their doctor to identify any patients who may benefit from further therapy, medication or expert specialty care.

Primary care physicians will make sure that your child is up to date with their vaccinations. Also, we will be able to monitor for chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

Your child's health encompasses so much more than just their joints and heart. Scheduling yearly visits with your primary care physician helps keep their body and mind healthy and thriving.