With back-to-school fully in swing, you may want to encourage your employees to schedule their children for their yearly adolescent wellness visit. The reasons behind wellness visits for infants, toddlers and young children are commonly understood, but why wellness visits are important for adolescents aren't as well-known. The Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network created the following guidelines to help address three common misconceptions and what parents and guardians need to know.
It's a Healthy Habit to Start
MYTH: "Now that my child is a teenager, they don't need a wellness visit as often."
FACT: An adolescent wellness visit is as important as a wellness visit for a young child. Behaviors developed during adolescence, such as nutritional habits, physical activity routines and even mental health patterns, often extend into adulthood. The screenings that take place during wellness visits give providers an opportunity to positively influence the health and development of your teenager.
It Promotes Open Conversations About Health
MYTH: "My child is becoming a teenager and won't open up about anything important to a doctor."
FACT: Often adolescents do have trouble being forthcoming and sharing their feelings, worries and questions with adults. However, your provider has been trained in how to have an open and productive conversation with your teenager. Through a wellness visit, your child will learn how to be honest with and trust their provider, which will benefit them as they enter adulthood and potentially encounter more complex health problems.
It Gives a Holistic View
MYTH: "My child gets a sports physical every year, and that's the same as their wellness visit."
FACT: A sports physical and a wellness visit are two different exams. The sports physical is a review of your child's current health status and medical history to deem them healthy enough to play their chosen sport. It is not covered by insurance. A wellness visit includes not only an examination of your child's physical health, but also the developmental, emotional and social aspects of their health. It is covered by insurance.
