At CPCMG, we aim to provide the highest quality of care to help patients achieve maximal health. This care includes routine Well Checks to make sure that children are thriving. Your child or teenager should have Well Child Checks with their CPCMG pediatrician, nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA) to ensure they are growing and developing as anticipated and to identify any potential health concerns. Here are some frequently asked questions about Well Child Checks at CPCMG.
The Reasons for Well Checks and How Often They Should Occur
How often does my child or teen need a Well-Check?
Children 3 years and older and teens should have a Well Check once per year. Infants and toddlers need visits at the following ages:
- 3-5 days
- 2 weeks
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 2 years
- 2.5 years
What is the purpose of a Well Check if my child is healthy?
At each Well Check, we measure height and weight, measure vital signs, and start to screen for hearing or vision difficulties. We monitor developmental milestones to make sure there are no delays requiring early intervention. As kids get older, we also help reinforce the safety rules and habits you are already working on at home, like the importance of a good night’s sleep, healthy dental habits, and wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle. Your child’s clinician is your partner in keeping your child healthy and can help identify any issues that will benefit from education or counseling.
DeleteTopics and Items Typically Covered in a Well Check
What topics are reviewed and discussed?
- Growth
- Developmental milestones
- Nutrition and physical activity
- Sleep
- Safety
- Screen time and social media use
- Moods and emotional health
- Relationships with family members and friends
- Success at school
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Access to adequate food and shelter
- Immunizations
What topics are NOT included in a typical well check?
- Chronic conditions
- Illnesses
- Complex behavior challenges
- Complex mental health concerns
What immunizations will my child or teen receive?
CPCMG has a standard vaccine schedule that follows the the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for childhood immunizations. Your pediatrician or advanced practice provider (APP) will answer any vaccine-related questions and ensure that you are given up-to-date and accurate information about the recommendations. Please be sure to bring your child’s immunization card with you to each Well Check if you want it updated.
DeleteWill there be time to discuss my specific concerns during a Well Check?
Yes, you will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns. Please know that Well Checks are intended to screen for problems that may need further follow-up. We may need a separate visit to devote the required time to more complex issues such as anxiety, headaches, or other chronic concerns.
DeletePreparing for the Visit
What should I do before arriving for the visit?
To gather important information, we ask many questions before starting a Well Check. Please complete the electronic questionnaires on MyChart on a computer web browser or the MyChart mobile application before you arrive to save time at the visit.
DeleteWhy are the questionnaires so long?
We want to make sure that each area of your child’s life is going well. This includes conditions beyond their physical health, including behavioral and mental health concerns, the safety of the home environment, and social media use. As partners in keeping your kids healthy, we will reinforce the messages that parents typically provide to their children.
DeleteWhat should I bring to the visit?
Please bring any school, camp, or sports forms. Also, please bring your child's immunization record if you want it updated.
DeleteWill any labs or studies be ordered?
At certain ages, we perform in-office blood tests for anemia, high cholesterol, and lead toxicity. Your child’s clinician will talk with you about what tests may be needed and the reasons for ordering them.
DeleteConfidentiality & Privacy
Will my child or teen have time with the pediatrician or APP without me in the room? What is kept confidential from caregivers?
In California, children 12 years and older have minor’s rights to privacy and may be offered an opportunity to speak with the clinician privately. This is an excellent time to build a trusting partnership between the teen and clinician, and allows the clinician to give accurate information about a teen’s changing body.
Some teens engage in behaviors than can pose health risks, and we want to help them make safe choices. Although we always encourage teens to be open with their parents or guardians, topics such as sexual activity and substance use remain confidential if teens don't want the information shared. The only exceptions allowed by law are suicidal or homicidal thoughts, which we are obligated to share with a parent or legal guardian and law enforcement authorities (for thoughts of harming someone else).
DeleteAfter the Visit
Will I have access to chart notes after the visit?
Most Well Check and sick visit notes for children under 12 years old are shared with parents and legal guardians on MyChart. Children 12 years and older have legal rights to privacy, so their visit notes are not viewable to parents or guardians.
DeleteHow will I know when to follow up after a Well Check?
Your clinician will let you know when your child needs another visit. For the first 3 years of life, children are seen for well visits frequently (every 2-6 months depending on the age). Your child’s clinician may want to see your child again at a separate visit for a follow up of a problem discovered at the Well Check. For example, if your child had a high blood pressure reading, failed a hearing screen, or did not grow as expected, there may be another visit needed before the next regularly scheduled well child check.
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