Citation

Decoster LC, Swartz EE, Cappaert TA, Hootman JM. Clin. J. Sport. Med. 2010; 20(6): 436-444.

Affiliation

From the *NH Musculoskeletal Institute, Manchester, New Hampshire; †Department of Kinesiology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire; ‡School of Physical Education & Tourism Management, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana; and §National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JSM.0b013e3181fc0a54

PMID

21079439

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To describe frequency and characteristics of emergency medical services (EMS) activations by certified athletic trainers (ATs) and effects of pre-season planning meetings on interactions between ATs and EMS both generally and specifically during football head/neck emergencies. DESIGN:: Retrospective cross-sectional survey. SETTING:: 2009 Web-based survey. PARTICIPANTS:: Athletic trainers (n = 1884; participation rate, 28%) in high school and collegiate settings. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES:: Athletic trainer work setting, AT demographics, history of pre-season planning meetings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated the prevalence of EMS activation, planning meetings, and characteristics of AT-EMS interactions (eg, episodes of AT-perceived inappropriate care and on-field disagreements). Chi square tests tested differences (P < 0.05) in proportions. Associations (odds ratio = OR and 95% CI) between work setting, demographics, preseason meetings and fall 2008 1) episodes of AT-perceived inappropriate care, and 2) on-field disagreements were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS:: High school ATs activated EMS more frequently than collegiate ATs (eg, fall 2008 EMS activation for football injury, 59.9% vs 27.5%; P < 0.01) and reported fewer pre-season planning meetings (eg, met with EMS to practice, 38.1% vs 55.8%; P < 0.01). During the Fall 2008 football season, high school ATs perceived more episodes of inappropriate care (10.4% vs 3.9%; P < 0.01) and on-field disagreements (5.4 vs 2.2%; P < 0.01) than collegiate ATs. High school work setting was independently associated with episodes of AT-perceived inappropriate care (adjusted OR = 2.76; 95% CI, 1.65-4.62) and on-field disagreements (adjusted OR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.17-4.64). CONCLUSIONS:: Athletic trainer-EMS interactions are common and sometimes involve AT-perceived episodes of inappropriate care and on-field disagreements between emergency care providers.

Keywords: American football;

Language: en