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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