News

If your family is like most, the month of August is all about preparation, preparing for school and sports, and gearing up for the busy season. Make sure your child’s health is also a part of the back-to-school preparation.

Make August the month you get your child an appointment with their primary care provider at RiverView Health for their well-child checkup - including immunizations and sports physicals if needed.

Yearly well-child exams are essential to your child’s good health. Well-child visits allow your provider time to check your child’s physical and mental health and overall well-being.

Well-child exams allow for

• Observation of growth and development
• Detection of illness by screening examinations
• Immunization maintenance
• Counseling and education of parents and children
• Promotion of mental health

Playing Catch Up

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many children missed checkups and recommended childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics report that the time to catch up on routine well-child exams and vaccinations is now. August is National Vaccine Awareness Month. Get your child up to date on vaccines to protect them from serious diseases that are easily spread.

Well-child visits are a great time to discuss any concerns about your child. If they are not doing well academically or socially, or if there are problems in the family, this is an excellent time to reach out for help. Your provider can help you access many resources, such as other medical professionals, counselors (child and/or family), and local programs.

To get the most out of your child’s visit:

1. Prepare a list of things you would like to discuss with the provider and bring that list with you to the visit.
2. Do not be afraid to discuss a subject that concerns you.
3. Talk to others around you who spend time with your child – teachers, grandparents, parents of peers, etc. They can help you identify any issues you might not have noticed.

Check with your insurance company; most insurance policies cover the cost of well-child exams.

Sports Physicals Offered at Same Appointment

If your child is going into the 7th grade or above and plans to participate in sports, they can get a well-child exam and sports physical at the same appointment. If this is your intention, let the patient access representative know when you call to schedule the appointment.

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) requires students to have a physical exam every three years, typically before entering 7th and 10th grade. The sports physical is an opportunity to address exercise-specific issues, including injuries, nutrition, training and exercise programs, and even attitudes toward sports participation.

While a RiverView sports physical meets all of the requirements for participation in sports by the MSHSL, a sports physical is not intended to replace a well-child exam. A well-child exam is much more comprehensive and includes reviewing immunization records, medical history, and family history.

To speed up your child’s in-person appointment, fill out the MSHSL’s sports physical form and bring it to the appointment. The form is available here.

To schedule a well-child exam/sports physical, please call your preferred RiverView Clinic in Crookston, 281.9595; Fertile, 945.6695; and Red Lake Falls, 253.4606.

Dr. Erik Kanten (pictured above) and the entire Family Medicine Team at RiverView see kids of all ages for well-child checkups.