Is a well-child the same as a physical?
While a well-child visit and a physical examination share several similarities, they are not exactly the same. A well-child visit is a comprehensive appointment specifically designed to assess your child's overall health, growth, and development. It involves various assessments, screenings, and discussions about your child's well-being. On the other hand, a physical examination is a more focused examination to assess general health status. A physical exam typically includes measurements of vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, as well as a check of the heart, lungs, abdomen, and other specific areas. During a well-child visit, a physical examination is indeed a component of the overall assessment. However, this type of visit extends beyond just a physical examination. It also encompasses discussions on nutrition, development, behavior, immunizations, and parental education.