Schedule a well-child/teen visit over the summer

Asian pediatrician doctor examining her little baby patient with stethoscope in hospital medical room.

NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — Although summer is filled with vacations and other activities, it's also a good time to plan a visit with a healthy child/teen without having to disrupt their education.

According to a press release from Essentia Health, Well Child/Adolescent Visits are an opportunity to examine children's health in all areas: growth, cognitive and social development, as well as disease prevention, health mental, etc.

“Summer is ideal for scheduling a well-child/adolescent visit, which may include a sports physical and immunizations,” said Dr. Tanya Diegel, division president of primary care at Essentia. “Summer can offer greater flexibility and does not require your child to miss school. These visits are a great way to make sure your child is healthy and allow us to involve children in their own health and well-being and answer any questions they and their parents have.

These visits are for anyone from birth to 21 years old and must be done annually.

During a visit, a doctor:

• Perform a complete physical exam
• Take measurements like height and weight
• Screen for any mental health issues like anxiety or depression
• Update all vaccinations or vaccines, including HPV, meningitis and others
• Talk about disease prevention, nutrition, fitness and other health-related issues.

Where appropriate, topics such as substance abuse, proper diet and sexual health will also be covered.

A sports physical exam may also be performed as part of a well child/adolescent visit, as it is recommended to have one done at least six weeks before the start of the sports season to allow time to follow up if necessary.

You can visit this page for more information. You can schedule a visit with your pediatrician or family doctor, by calling (844) 663-1068, online or through the MyChart portal.