An annual physical exam for teenagers ensures they continue to grow and mature into healthy adults. These annual checkups are just as important for your teen’s well-being as they were in childhood.
As they enter their teen years, you can expect the exam to look a little bit different from when they were younger.
Discover from family practice doctor Jean Welsh, MD, from Primary & Alternative Medical Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, what you and your teenager can expect at your teen’s first physical.
Although there are some things that change from your teen’s childhood annual physical, other aspects are very similar. We start out by reviewing your teenager’s medical history and family medical history, noting any changes since the last annual physical.
We also check your teen’s:
If your teenager is new to our practice, we request that their past medical records be transferred, and we will spend extra time getting to know your family.
There are some medical conditions common in teenagers that don’t usually occur in younger children. Our team focuses on screening for the health issues that are especially common in this age group at the wellness exam.
These include:
Younger teens can also expect to get a routine hearing screening between 11 and 14 years old. We also check to ensure teenagers are through puberty as expected for their age and sex.
One of the biggest changes in your teen’s wellness exam from when they were younger is that you won’t be present for the entire exam.
As teens get older, there are some topics we need to discuss with them to assess their health that they might not feel comfortable discussing or answering honestly in front of their parents.
It’s important for our team to have an honest conversation about these topics to ensure we fully and appropriately assess your teen’s overall health. This also gives them time to ask their own questions as they start taking greater charge of their own wellness.
It’s important for parents to know that some information your teenager shares is protected by law and can’t be shared with you without their consent.
You will also be present for some of the exams with your teen and have the opportunity to ask your own questions. This can be done with your teenager present or privately.
Teenagers don’t usually get as many vaccines as younger children, but there are still some needed in their age group. Depending on your teen’s age and profile, some vaccinations that might be appropriate include:
If your teenagers missed any recommended vaccines when they were younger, this is also a great time to get caught up.
We focus annual exams with teenagers on more than just a physical exam. Topics we might cover include:
The teen years are a time of major transition for you and your teen, but with the help of our team, we can help you navigate this time as a family. As a family practice, we can treat your entire family together and continue seeing your teenager after they become an adult.
Contact us to schedule your teen’s annual physical exam.
