RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The staff at the 12th Medical Group Pediatric Clinic continually works to improve its procedures.
To improve customer satisfaction, the clinic is changing the way it conducts annual school physicals for the 2008-2009 school year.
Not only is an annual physical a state requirement for students, it's also a good practice to get into, said Capt. Susannah Simone, Randolph Pediatric Clinic chief.
"A physical allows us to focus on things that a regular appointment might miss," Captain Simone said. "It's a good preventive measure that will help preserve the child's health in the future."
The clinic is now prepared to start taking appointment times for families with school-age children, the captain said. This year, instead of six mass appointment times, the clinic will be available to patients every clinic day.
Individual afternoon appointment times are available now for May through August and will be offered specifically for school physical visits. These appointments are only intended for children ages 6 to 16 who are empanelled to the Randolph Pediatric Clinic or who are enrolled at the Randolph clinic.
"With last years program, many families were unhappy with the group appointment system," Captain Simone said. "The revised system will offer a regular 20-minute appointment with a provider and should offer a great deal more flexibility with families' summer schedules."
Appointments can be booked by calling the central appointment line at 916-9900 Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"We strongly advise parents not to wait until the last minute to accomplish this mandatory state requirement," Captain Simone said.
For students 17 years and older who require an annual physical, wellness appointments with their usual provider at the Family Care Clinic or Flight Medicine Clinic can also be booked online at www.tricareonline.com or by calling the central appointment number.