Camp and school sports physicals aim to keep kids safe

Parents scrambling to get their child a physical exam for camp or school sports now have the option of going to one of Cape Cod Healthcare’s Urgent Care Centers.

“Sports physicals are frequently needed at the last minute,” said Michael J. Rest, MD, chair of Falmouth Hospital Emergency Physicians. “As a parent, I can relate.”

Massachusetts mandates students have a physical exam before they first start attending school, and then every three to four years after that, according to the state Department of Public Health. Annual exams are required for students in competitive sports. Any child planning to attend camp in the state must present documentation of an exam done within the previous 18 months, along with a current medical history and immunization certificate.

The Falmouth Hospital Emergency Department oversees the two urgent care centers in Falmouth and Sandwich, and the Cape Cod Hospital Emergency Department in Hyannis oversees the system’s other four centers in Harwich, Hyannis, Orleans and The Pinehills in Plymouth, he said.

The exams can be done in about 15 minutes and parents will need to fill out a questionnaire on their child’s health history, medications, allergies, health conditions or concerns. They needn’t bring the child’s immunization record, Dr. Rest said. The whole visit will likely take about an hour or less and costs $75, which is not covered by insurance. Any child discovered to have an issue that might preclude participation in sports, such as poorly-controlled seizures, would be recommended back to their pediatrician or specialist for more comprehensive testing.

Why Physicals are Necessary

Exams follow the American Academy of Pediatrics template, said Dr. Rest. The Academy developed the preparticipation physical evaluation form with the assistance of other sports medicine, family physician, athletic trainer and high school associations. The exam is intended to assess “cardiovascular, nervous system, general medical conditions, respiratory system, gastrointestinal and urogenital, dermatological, musculoskeletal and mental health.” The examining health professional can determine if a student is approved to play sports, needs further evaluation, can play with restrictions or cannot participate. The Academy also developed forms for students with disabilities and for those participating in Special Olympics.

“It’s basically a safety check,” that ensures that children are going to be safe and are not placing themselves at risk, said Dr. Rest. “The vast majority of kids are very, very low risk.”

Urgent Care Schedules

Cape Cod Healthcare’s six urgent care centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Parents can go online and check wait times or schedule an appointment via Find Care Now, which is also accessible through the MyChart patient portal. Exam availability isn’t limited to the appointment slots, said Dr. Rest, and parents can just bring their child in anytime during a center’s business hours.

He urges parents to “get your kid out on the field playing sports.”