Preventive medicine is the cornerstone of health care for patients of all ages. The well-child visit is no exception. In fact, it yields information important to your child’s growth, development, and overall mental, physical, and emotional health.
Here’s how to prepare for your youngster’s upcoming well-child visit with your pediatrician in Purchase, NY.
Compile a List of Questions
These can include queries about your child’s eating habits, sleep cycle, academic performance, mental health, and learning abilities or physical symptoms, such as wheezing, recurrent sinus infections, or severe acne. You can also ask about special services, such as physical or occupational therapy, or access to community resources, such as nutritional support.
Remember that your child’s doctor advocates for the wellness of the young patient and for your family, too. The pediatrician is an expert in the special health needs of children as they grow and develop; the doctor is more than willing to provide the education resources you need to parent effectively and compassionately.
Finally, if you think your child should see a specialist, now is the time to initiate the referral. Also, be sure to get any needed prescription refills your child may require.
Inform Your Child About the Visit
Telling your child about an upcoming doctor’s visit should be done in a matter-of-fact manner. Explain why you both are seeing the doctor and what will happen during the exam–including any vaccination updates.
Getting shots can be scary for most young kids, so reassure your child that shots are necessary to prevent sickness and are very quick. Reassure your youngster that you’ll be right there to help.
Remind the child that physical examinations are important to see how they grow and ensure hearing, vision, heart, lungs, and stomach function well. Tell pre-teens and teens that this is their time to ask the doctor questions, too.
Bring Documents or Forms to Be Completed
This can include proof of physical examination and vaccine record for the start of the school year, entering a new school, daycare, or other organization. Participation in school sports requires a physical examination, too. You’ll receive a paper copy of your child’s vaccine record to keep at home.
Check Your Health Insurance
Be sure your health insurance coverage is current and you know what copays you may be responsible for. Check with the carrier to see if your doctor is in-network. Bring a photo ID and proof of insurance with you to the well-child visit.
Well-child Visits in Tuckahoe, NY
At Village Pediatric Group, our well-child visits are anything but routine. We customize our head-to-toe assessments to fit your child’s needs–whatever the age. Whether your youngster is just an infant or she is ready to start college, our four board-certified physicians and their team deliver excellent preventive health care.
To schedule a check-up, call us today at (914) 771-7070 or fill in our online appointment request form. We look forward to seeing you and your family soon.
