To help middle and high schools
and private- and community-based youth sports organizations (YSOs)
provide appropriate medical care to secondary-school-aged adolescents
in sports, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) recently
issued a Summary Statement calling for schools and YSOs to establish,
in consulation with administrators, coaches, parents and athletes,
athletic health care teams (AHCTs) to approach the issue of athletic
injuries in a comprehensive way.
The NATA recommends that the AHCT include the following medical professionals:
- Medical physician director*
- Certified athletic trainers*
- Emergency medical services personnel
- School physicians
- Primary care providers (e.g. pediatricians, family practice, nurse practitioners)
- Consulting and other physicians
- Physical therapists
- Registered dieticians
- Dentists
- Public health officials
- Public safety personnel
- Other allied health care professionals
- Students and trainees in the above disciplines.
On-site personnel (sponsoring organization administrators, parents, coaches, athletes) interact with the AHCT through the certified athletic trainers and EMS personnel.
