Parents: Here's Why Your Child’s Blank Medical Form Is Really a Cry for a Primary Care Provider by Cindy Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP

Many parents are in the throes of the mad back-to-school dash. Parents of kids who play fall sports are in a special bind – they need to provide an up-to-date physical form in time for preseason workouts. Here are the top five reasons why this exercise is a painful reminder that your family needs a primary care provider:

• Appointments are hard to get. Patients wait an average of 24 days to see a physician, sometimes longer in a recent survey.

• Your provider has no idea who you are. Nurse practitioners (NPs) often spend more time getting to know patients. You’re really only checking a box. When the same person does checkups, they are more inclined to find problems early.

• You need a provider for more than you think. Last year, you had to resort to urgent care when your kids got the flu.

• You need advice. An NP does more than treat, and you may really need advice on screen time, bullying and other more intangible parenting challenges.

Once the dust settles, remember this fire drill, and find a primary care provider you trust. An NP can help solve these issues and ensure your family is healthy all year long.