The Sports
Medicine Team
The Basics…
 Coach
 Athletic Trainer
(NATA-BOC)
 Physician
 Ideally a sports
medicine orthopedic
 Others…
 General Practitioner
(GP)
Reality…
 Coach
 Presence is a given
 Athletic Trainer
 Presence is becoming
more common
 Still not required by law in
many states
 Physician
 May make an appearance
at football games
The Big Time…
 Coaching staff
 Athletic Training Staff
 Strength and
Conditioning Staff
 Physician Staff
 Orthopedic, GP, Dentist,
Chiropractor,
Opthomologist, Podiatrist,
Neurologist, etc.
 Other Staff
 Nutritionist, Massage
Therapist, Physical
Therapist, Sport
Psychologist
Communication…
 Members of the team must communicate




Conditioning workouts
Equipment/Playing surface concerns
Environmental concerns
Athlete injuries/Return to play
Services…
 Physicals (PPEs)
 Emergency Planning
 Practice/Event
Coverage
 Educate
Parents/Coaches
 CPR/First-Aid
 Athlete Nutrition
Most Important…
 The coach
 Always there
 Needs to be
educated
 CPR/First-Aid/AED
 Injury recognition
 Fitting equipment
 Knowledge of
applicable sports
skills
The Team Works for the
Athlete…
 If communication breaks down, the
athlete suffers
 If a member of the team is left out,
relationships can go bad
The Doctor’s Role?




PPEs
On the field injuries
Manage injury/illness
Coordinate
rehab/return to play
 Integrate care
 Educate the athlete
 Record keeping
 Set up the team
 Educate others
involved
 Chain of command
 Emergency planning
 Event coverage
 Environmental and
playing conditions
Good Doctor vs Bad
Doctor…
 Personally
interested?
 Properly trained?
 Good bedside
manner?
 Good support staff?
 Hospital
 Rehab center
content.answers.com
The Athletic Trainer…
 Trained to do what we do
 Not all are equal
 Passing a test does not make you good at
your job
 Personality
 Experience as an athlete?
 Willing to work?
Entrance/Exit Slip
 What is the sports medicine team?
 Who comprises the sports medicine
team?
 What is each of their duties?
 Are all ATC’s the same? Why or Why
Not?