Making Your Child's Back-to-School Physical More Convenient

If it’s August in South Florida, millions of children soon will be heading back to school. And every parent knows the drill. In addition to outfitting their child with new clothes and school supplies, they must schedule an appointment with the doctor; fill out school forms; take their child for the required vaccinations and physical exam; submit the forms to the school; and, if necessary, follow up on any conditions noted during their physical.

Tala Karnani, MPAS, PA-C, physician assistant with Baptist Health Urgent Care Express

Resource editors spoke with Tala Karnani, MPAS, PA-C, a physician assistant with Baptist Health Urgent Care Express. She says Baptist Health’s network of Urgent Care Express centers across South Florida are a convenient, affordable – and fast – alternative to long waits at your regular physician or pediatrician’s office. That’s especially true this time of year when those offices are typically much busier than normal.

What’s included in my child’s annual physical exam?

A standard school or sports physical includes a full, head-to-toe examination, Mrs. Karnani says. The school physical form also requires screening for anxiety and depression. “If there is a positive screen, the provider will discuss this more in depth and recommend next steps for further evaluation and treatment,” she says.

As part of school and sports physical exams, vaccinations are offered at all Baptist Health Urgent Care Express locations in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, according to Mrs. Karnani. She says Urgent Care staff follows CDC guidelines on vaccinations.

“Vaccine requirements are based on the age of your child along with which grade they’ll be starting,” Mrs. Karnani says. “We check which vaccines are necessary and if we’re not able to provide them onsite, we’ll let you know where you can get them.” The influenza vaccine is recommended annually along with the updated COVID-19 booster, and most vaccines are available at an Urgent Care location nearby, she assures.

There is also an option to add a screening electrocardiogram, which may be required for some sports physicals or requested simply to ease the minds of a student-athlete’s concerned parents. At the end of the visit, all required forms are completed and returned to the parent.

“Please fill out the parent portion on the forms provided by your child’s school before you arrive and remember to bring them with you,” recommends Mrs. Karnani. “That way, the provider can review your child’s relevant personal and family history during the visit.”

Back-to-school physical exams at Baptist Health Urgent Care Express are just $25 per child, Mrs. Karnani says. “If a screening EKG is recommended by the provider, the combined cost for both the exam and EKG is $75. You can either start your check-in online or just walk in. We’ll be able to take care of you either way.”

What illnesses are making the rounds?

Mrs. Karnani says that she’s been at several Baptist Health Urgent Care locations recently and seen patients with a variety of conditions. In school age children, the most common infections right now are strep throat and influenza, or the flu, she says.

“We’ve seen a lot of viral infections, including colds, flu and, yes, COVID-19, as well as bacterial infections such as strep throat, and also conjunctivitis, or ‘pink eye,’ which can be viral or bacterial and is highly contagious,” says Mrs. Karnani. “We’ve also seen all the usual ailments, from skin infections, ear infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs) to rashes, lacerations and fractures.”

How to keep your child healthy at school

Once your child is cleared for school or sports, or both, Mrs. Karnani says keeping them healthy while they’re in school is important, too. And that can be a challenge, she acknowledges.

“First and foremost, make sure your child is up to date with their vaccines. To prevent colds and other respiratory infections once they’re back in school, always remind them to wash their hands frequently throughout the day. Schools are a hotbed of germs and those germs can spread quickly in classrooms, locker rooms, cafeterias and restrooms.”

Lastly, Mrs. Karnani adds, if your child has asthma, be sure to have an asthma action plan. “That way, both you and the child’s school will know exactly what to do, where to go and who to call if your child has an attack.”

Mrs. Karnani says that back to school can be stressful but it’s also an important opportunity to get a clear picture of your child’s health before they begin another year.

“Yes, filling out forms for school can be a hassle,” she acknowledges. “But the annual physical is a chance to make sure your child is healthy and to identify any conditions that may need follow-up with a Baptist Health specialist. We’re here to help and we try to make it as convenient as possible for you.”

School and sports physical exams are offered at all Baptist Health Urgent Care Express locations, which are open daily from 9am to 9pm. Click here for more information and to find a location near you.