Assessment of the Athletic Medicine Unit in Georgia High Schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of the athletic medicine unit (AMU) in Georgia high schools. An online questionnaire was sent to 432 public and private schools in Georgia, and 109 (25.2% return rate) were completed. The responding schools included 86 public schools and 23 private schools. Results revealed that 54.6% of schools had a team physician with the most common specialty being an orthopedist. Also, 62.6% of the schools had a certified athletic trainer (ATC) with 37.3% being employed by the school. For those schools without an ATC, 70.0% of coaches were providing immediate care for athletes. Significant differences were observed among classifications of schools for the coverage provided to athletes with lower classifications less likely to have a complete AMU. Further study assessing the AMU in Georgia high schools should include an outcome assessment to determine the cost effectiveness of the AMU

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