Chapter 2

The Athletic Health Care Team

Start today by taking out your notebooks.

Brainstorm all of the people you think are part of the ATHLETIC HEALTH CARE TEAM.

Write your ideas in your notebook.

Sports Medicine

Definition: “A field that uses a holistic, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary approach to health care for those engaged in sporting or recreational activity.”

Potential Team Members

Practitioners include primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, athletic trainers, sports physical therapists, dentists, exercise physiologists, conditioning coaches, and sports nutritionists.

NATA

• Appropriate Medical Care for Secondary School Aged Athletes

Key Team Members

Coaches- prevention - first responder (initial decisions)

Team Physicians- MD - Agrees to provide at least limited

medical coverage to a particular sports program or institution

-Commit to necessary time -appropriate knowledge base of sport

NATABOC-Certified Athletic Trainer

Coaches

Coaches in public school settings should be trained in:

• Basic conditioning procedures.• Maintenance and fitting of protective equipment.• First aid and CPR.• Operation of an automatic external defibrillator.• Recognition and management of common sports

injuries.• Skills instruction.

Sports Medicine Team

The Sports Medicine Team includes: team physician, athletic trainer, coaching staff, and other related health care practitioners.

Sports Medicine Team Physician

The team’s role in medical management of athletes includes:

• Coordinating pre-participation physical exams.• Providing medical management of injuries

and illnesses on and off the field. • Coordinating rehab and a safe return to

participation after illness or injury. • Providing education and counseling for

coaches, athletes, and parents. • Providing proper documentation and medical

record keeping.

Administrative and Logistical Duties• Establish and define the relationships of all involved

parties• Educate athletes, parents, administrators, coaches

and other necessary parties regarding concerns pertaining to the athletes

• Develop a chain of command• Plan and train for emergencies• Adress equipment and supply issues• Provide proper event coverage• Assess environmental concerns

CAQ• Certificate of Added Qualifications (in Sports

Medicine)• For physicians in order to become more

specialized in caring for sport related injuries.

Athletic TrainerBOC-certified athletic trainer: an allied health care

professional with extensive education in clinical care & prevention of sports injuries.Athletic trainers receive formal instruction in:

• Injury prevention.• Recognition, evaluation, and immediate care.• Treatment and rehabilitation.• Health care organization and administration.• Professional development and responsibility.

BOC Certification

To qualify:Complete a “Commission on

Accreditation of Athletic Training Education”(CAATE)-accredited Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP).

Take certification examination that is now offered via a national network of computerized testing centers

• Over 500 specific skills • 4 Years of Clinical Education/ Rotations • Foundational courses:

• Human Anatomy• Human Physiology• Exercise Physiology• Kinesiology/biomechanics• Nutrition • Statistics and research design• Strength training and reconditioning• Acute Care of injury and illness

Professional Courses:• Risk Management & injury prevention• Pathology of injury• Assessment of injury• General medical conditions• Therapeutic Modalities• Therapeutic Exercise and rehabilitation• Health Care Administration• Weight management and body composition• Psychosocial intervention and referral• Medical ethics and legal issues• Pharmacology• Professional Development and Responsibilities

Professional Settings for Athletic

Trainers• Colleges/Universities (Historically the Largest)• Secondary Schools

• Teacher/ Athletic Trainer• Full-Time Athletic Trainer• Part-Time AT/ Grad Assistant• Contract out by PT clinic

• Professional Sports• Rehabilitation Clinics/Hospitals• Industrial Settings• Military

Professional Medical Organizations

• American Medical Society for Sports Medicine• American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine• American College of Sports Medicine • American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine

• Help Promote the Study of Sports Medicine!