Abstract

This consensus paper is written to assist superintendents of schools, secondary school athletic directors, college and university athletic department administrators, athletic trainers, and team and school physicians by presenting the best practices in sports medicine management in the secondary and collegiate settings. This document outlines important considerations regarding (1) duties and responsibilities of the athletic trainer and team physician; (2) supervisory relationships and the chain of command within the sports medicine team; (3) decision-making authority regarding approval for participation of student–athletes, as well as injury management and return to sport participation status after injury or illness; (4) administrative authority for the selection, renewal, and dismissal of related medical personnel; and (5) performance-appraisal tools for the sports medicine team. To date, these recommendations have been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College Health Association, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, College Athletic Trainers' Society, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), National Federation of State High School Associations, and National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. aus der Einleitung