MS>KU> The kids PERSONAL Doc when he/she does the physical that can
MS>KU> be mandated by the school prior to taking place. It can be done
MS>KU> in the
MS>KU> DOCTOR's office as opposed to the school, it can be done by a
MS>KU> person the
MS>KU> kid
MS>KU> is familiar with and if the person doesn't want to do it, then
MS>KU> is there no
MS>KU> coercion to do it...you just don't play sports.
MS> Pennsylvania schools at least used to just send home the physical
MS>form and a note telling parents to take the kid to the family's
MS>doctor and have him complete the form by a certain date.
MS> Playing football is a personal _choice_. Being herded into a
MS>room and ordered to strip isn't.
In our community the "herd" approach to physical exams in the schools
applies to the student athletes only. The biggest reasons we physicians
are asked to donate our time to this is that the parents are not willing
to take the child to the family physician for a proper exam. $$ speak.
$10 vs. $36. Ultimately it is the parents responsibility. I'd like to
see the "herd" evenings eliminated myself. I hate doing them and don't
think the kids get the care they need. The exam at that age is only
part of the story. Education as well as immunizations are missed in
these types of exams. Again it is most often parental preference.
Examination of the genitals is an appropriate part of the "pre-sports"
exam at least in male athletes to screen for inguinal hernias. To do
less is incomplete.
Marilyn Whitney, MD, FABFP
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CMPQwk 1.4 #326 In Canada there is another word for Sushi.......BAIT!
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* Origin: The Disaster Area | Ft. Wayne, IN | NDMS DMAT IN-2 | (1:236/58)
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