Atlanta, Ga. (July 25, 2024) – As the new school year arrives, parents and guardians will be expected to make sure their child is prepared with health documents needed for participation in school and sports activities.

Sports teams, and often band groups, require a sports physical for participation as a proactive approach to identifying students who may be at higher risk for injuries or other health conditions. Many schools and teams also require students to be caught up with immunizations.

"These are important and vital towards their care," said Jason Hefner, M.D., Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Piedmont Physicians of Canton, and a Piedmont Primary Care Regional Medical Director. "It’s a good time of year for getting kids physically and emotionally ready for the next school year: reviewing their health, academic record, their emotional health, making sure their routine health is up-to-date, including their vaccines and physicals."

Sports physicals are generally brief and include checking vitals, heart and lung health, joints, flexibility and medical history. A fitness assessment may also be performed to determine potential physical limitations.

"First thing you make sure of is that their heart is healthy: checking their blood pressure, typically listening to the heart and lungs, making sure their heart’s at a nice and normal rhythm," Hefner explained. "And then we perform an orthopedic exam to make sure that they're not set up for injury to the best of our ability to protect it."

Hefner also encourages parents and guardians to make sure their child’s wellness checks and preventative visits are up-to-date (within the past year). Hefner added that parents should also be checking in on the mental wellbeing of their child, discussing whether their child is mentally prepared for new school year and assessing for any emotional or social situations their child may have concerns about.

"Parents should absolutely be having really good open conversations with their kids, and also not hesitating to make an appointment so we can put a good success plan in place for the child," Hefner said. "It can be success for a physical issue, for an emotional issue or for an academic issue. It’s important to assess that now so we can put a battle plan together for the year."

Certain immunizations are also required for students before starting the new school year. Generally, some school systems will require a vaccine or boosters before starting kindergarten, before seventh grade and before 11th grade. Some colleges and universities may require updated vaccinations as well for incoming freshmen.

The immunization schedule can be found on the Georgia Department of Health website at https://dph.georgia.gov/schoolvaccines; Parents are also encouraged to contact their primary care physician to ask about recommended vaccines for your child.

These back-to-school health needs can be taken care off at a Piedmont primary care office, a Piedmont QuickCare clinic, or Piedmont Urgent Care by scheduling an appointment.

Same-day services and walk-ins are also conveniently offered at Piedmont Urgent Care clinics from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and at Piedmont QuickCare locations based from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Sunday, based on availability.

To find a Piedmont clinic location near you, visit piedmont.org.