LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Military families are a huge part of what makes the U.S. Air Force the best in the world and enable the 19th Airlift Wing to accomplish its combat airlift mission. The 19th Medical Group is there to make sure these families are cared for.
Well-child visits are checkups at different increments to ensure children are kept on a healthy lifestyle pattern, and are available through the 19th MDG’s maternal-child flight.
“Coming for check-ups can help catch complications early, such as medical conditions, speech delays, behavior concerns, and provide intervention as needed before it becomes a bigger problem,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Jessica Roberts, 19th MDG healthcare integrator.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends well-child visits at the following ages: first week, first month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, and annually until age 18 as a general assessment of appropriate well-child care.
According to Roberts, the benefits of well-child visits are as follows:
- Prevention: Your child gets scheduled immunizations to prevent illness. You can also ask your pediatrician about nutrition and safety in the home and at school.
- Tracking growth and development: See how much your child has grown in the time since your last visit, and talk with your doctor about your child's development. You can discuss your child's milestones, social behaviors and learning.
- Raising concerns: Make a list of topics you want to talk about with your child's pediatrician such as development, behavior, sleep, eating or getting along with other family members. Bring your top three to five questions or concerns with you to talk with your pediatrician at the start of the visit.
- Team approach: Regular visits create strong, trustworthy relationships among pediatrician, parent and child. The AAP recommends well-child visits as a way for pediatricians and parents to serve the needs of children. This team approach helps develop optimal physical, mental and social health of a child.
“Even as an adult, you can still expect wellness checks,” Roberts said. “The checks typically consist of necessary labs, preventative healthcare, and any type of screenings depending on the patient’s age.”
It’s important to medical providers to make sure parents are comfortable with their children’s health and the care that is provided.
“We want to empower patients to use our healthcare system to their advantage, and we want to make sure they understand what healthcare benefits are available for them to utilize,” Roberts said.
If Airmen and their families are not healthy, it can lead to a negative impact on the mission — not only in terms of risking the spread of disease — but also in terms of diminished productivity, quality, and attention to safety.
“Members can get sick if their children are sick,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dennis Lee, 19th Medical Group aerospace medical technician. “It puts a damper on their work but it also has a stressful impact on them because they go to work thinking about their sick child all day.”
The maternal-child flight also offers walk-in appointments for strep and suture or staple removal. If an appointment is needed, it is recommended to book through Tricare Online.
“Readiness is our focus,” Roberts said. “We want to give quality safe care so we can ensure a strong fighting force. It’s not just active duty; we have to take care of families so Airmen can be fully focused on the mission. We serve them in a whole family concept to make sure we’re fulfilling healthcare needs.”