Parents of teenagers and sports physicals: Is that physical embarassing for your kid?

Question

Do you choose a specific doctor for sports physicals? Do you stay in the room or wait outside? Can a physical be done by the school nurse? Is there any part of the sports physical that you can refuse and still pass a physical?

Answer 1

My daughter has asthma, so she has always gotten an annual physical.  That is used for the 'sports' physical as well. (The doctor just goes through the form and fills it out at the same time.)  

If your teen no longer gets regular check-ups, you can still take him to his regular pediatrician/family doctor.  Alternatively, some schools will bring in a doctor or nurse to do low cost sports physicals for the students.  Ask the coach if anything is available in your community.  (I'm not sure what part of the physical you would WANT to skip, but they are pretty straightforward, no different than any other standard check-up.)

Answer 2

yeah the physical is embarrassing, if your a girl you gotta take off you shirt and sometimes even the bra and if your a boy they usually feel the testicles. for a boy that's pretty embarrassing! I would stay in the room depending on what you child wanted. if your child wants you there then stay if not then no. whatever to make the child more comfortable!

Answer 3

You can go to your family doctor or use the school doctor. A nurse can not give a sports physical. It is no more embarrassing than any other doctors visit. They check the basics - blood pressure, urine, breathing, heart rate and listen for murmurs. Your family doctor may run a few more tests depending on your history. As far as your parents going in the room with you or staying in the waiting room, that is up to you. They are not required to be in the room for a physical.

P.S. I just realized you were the parent asking. The school Doctor can be more embarrassing. At my old school, we lined all the kids up and they were in varying degrees of undressed (boys and girls seperate of course) but some of the kids were a little uncomfortable being undressed around other kids. Kinda like the weigh-ins for wrestling.

Answer 4

Parents do not stay in the room if they aren't wanted by the child.  Physicals have to be done by a doctor.  No, you can't refuse parts of a physical.