Jun 18, 09 | Posted by: Bayshore Pediatrics

Camp or other forms – get those forms in

It’s that time of year again when we as parents are looking to fill the summer with fun for our kids.  That means, camps – either overnight, day or specialty camps.  Most camps require evidence of immunizations and a recent physical that indicates that your child is healthy and fit for camp.  That means forms – oh, those wild forms.  We would like to offer some helpful hints about having these forms completed.

• First, plan ahead.  These forms take more than a few seconds to complete.  Completing forms for your child means that the physicians are attesting to your child’s health.  We do not take this lightly because we want to ensure your child is healthy and safe at camp.  We require 48 business hours in which to complete these forms.  Why do we require 48 business hours you might ask?  The doctors review the charts for the last physical with your child and complete these forms in between seeing patients throughout the day.   Often there are many forms to complete so we ask for this time to ensure that we can get them completed for you properly.
• Second, make sure your child has had a recent physical.  If your child has not had a physical in the last 12-18 months, we may not be able to complete the form (it depends on the camps requirements).  We routinely send out reminder cards letting you know that “its time for a physical” to help you remember to get these in.  It helps not to feel rushed when these forms need to be completed.
• Third, schedule those physicals routinely and early.   Summer is the physical season – it is often very busy with children’s physicals during the summer months.  In order to be able to get you the time and date you want for your physicals, it is best to call early (before the time you need the physical) to schedule.  During the summer months, it is not uncommon to have the next available appointment 6-8 weeks out due to the needs of all of our patients.  We will attempt to help out as much as possible, making sure that we spend quality time with our patients – not squeezing or rushing our patients in order to fit more in.

We hope that you find these hints helpful in getting those forms completed when you need them.  Most of all, camp is a great time and we encourage everyone to have fun.

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