Preventive exams help to ensure that your child is healthy and safe during most of their time in school and outside during recreational activities. Without either exam, your child is likely not able to enroll in school or participate in a sport they are passionate about.
Most public and private schools require students to have an annual physical in order to enroll in school and/or participate in school-sanctioned sports. Without these exams on file, a school administration will be unable to enroll your child in general education as well as other activities.
But what parents may not understand is that school and sport physicals help to create a safe environment for both your child’s school as well as your kid on an individual level. So what should parents know about school and sport physicals.

Back-to-School physicals create a safe learning environment for all students and your student at a personal level

A back-to-school is used to identify an overview of your child’s health and is used by teachers, nurses, and staff to provide a safe learning environment.
For example, if your child has an allergy the school can use the information from the physical to create safer dietary options (if they buy lunch) and help reduce your child’s contact with allergens. Additionally, the physical can help a teacher identify if there are any other health complications, medications, or other support systems needed.
School physicals also help to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by requiring advised vaccine updates, monitoring vaccine information, and making sure that the rest of the school is properly vaccinated.

Sport physicals help athletic personnel provide a safe recreational environment for your child.

A sport physical is used by athletic trainers and staff to make sure that your child doesn’t have any major injury risks or health concerns due to physical activity. By using the information in your child’s physical, a coach or trainer can help to make your child’s recreational program safe for their needs and foster a healthy sporting routine.
Sports physicals can also flag for any injury-prone medical situations your child may have, which can help athletic trainers keep your child safe and ready to participate with reduced injury risks.

School and sports physicals are easily accessible at urgent care centers

The good news for parents is that you don’t have to wait for a doctor’s appointment to get a school or sport physical. By visiting an urgent care center, parents can get their child a completed physical on the same day as their visit. This is because most urgent care centers provide walk-in clinic access that help patients get checked-in for care ASAP.
Make sure to keep your child up-to-date on their physicals to ensure a happy, healthy, and safe school year!