How important is my child’s annual wellness visit?

Health early in life predicts health later in life. Pediatric health care providers have the opportunity to address issues that can lead to lifelong health challenges early, from diabetes to depression. The systems used to check mental health during a wellness visit can be powerful tools to assist clinicians diagnosing depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, as well as monitoring treatment responses.

Megan Kruse, MSN, CPNP-AC/PC
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

SCHOLAR Clinic, a partnership between Clarity Healthcare and Columbia Public Schools, is a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center, focused on serving Columbia Public School students who have difficulty accessing healthcare. “Every scholar and their family have a different idea of what a wellness check with a health provider looks like,” says Megan Kruse, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner at SCHOLAR clinic. “I like to listen to what that looks like for each family to help meet their needs. Parental input is incredibly important.”

SCHOLAR Clinic offers sports physicals at no cost. Wellness visits track growth, provide health education for patients and help screen for and detect illness. “We look at a child holistically during an exam,” Kruse says. “Think of wellness visits as your chance to learn as much as you can about the best ways to help your child grow.”In addition to treating physical ailments, regular wellness checks give healthcare providers a way to identify potential mental health issues. “Collaborating with Columbia Public School nurses, our team can have a heads up on what might be going on with a student.” If an issue is noted during a SCHOLAR Clinic exam, a pediatric healthcare provider will develop a plan tailored to a child’s specific needs.