When an Athletic Trainer is attending to an injured athlete during an athletic competition, is it appropriate for a fan who happens to be a health care professional to come onto the field and try to take over? Where do you draw the line? It is not written into the Policy and Procedure Manual or the Emergency Action Plan, but often fans who are also health care providers insist on jumping in. My professional opinion is that fans are there to observe the game and not to attend to injured athletes, particularly if there is a qualified health care provider working the event. Fans and parents (regardless of if they are a health care provider or not) need to stay off the field and let the Athletic Trainer do his/her work, unless they are called upon or there is no other medical care available. Athletic Trainers go through intensive education and training which is focused on the health care of the physically active. Athletic Trainers are the experts on health care for the physically active. When fans, parents, and officials who may or may not be health care providers try to step in, it causes confusion and often delays care to patient.
I understand that most health care providers have a caring spirit and want to use their skills to help an individual who they perceive as in need of care, however most are unaware of the type, level, and quality of care they are receiving from an Athletic Trainer. Additionally, there is a professional boundary that should exist among health care providers to respect everyone’s skills. If an Athletic Trainer walked into an emergency room with adequate staffing and said, “I’m an Athletic Trainer and here to help,” he/she would be quickly escorted away and probably told that this isn’t the place for them. Why doesn’t it work the other way around? Too often there is unnecessary interference from fans that want to use their health care expertise to help, but are not part of the designated team and do not know the procedures for care on the sideline. What’s worse, often times coaches, athletic directors, and other personnel allow these people on the field and sometimes trust the word of the other health care provider over the assessment of the Athletic Trainer!
It is the responsibility of the Athletic Trainer to attend to the injured athlete, determine the diagnosis, and treat appropriately. As Athletic Trainers, we have Emergency Action Plans in place if there is a need for emergency care. On the field, the Athletic Trainer is the leader of the health care team and if assistance is needed, he or she will communicate to other members of the team as needed. We are not only qualified but also legally obligated to follow our protocols for care and any outside interference could result in legal against anyone providing care. Let us do our job!
We all have a role. Let’s do what’s best for our patients and sport. We Prepare, You Perform.
Bobby Vallandingham LAT, ATC
I understand that most health care providers have a caring spirit and want to use their skills to help an individual who they perceive as in need of care, however most are unaware of the type, level, and quality of care they are receiving from an Athletic Trainer. Additionally, there is a professional boundary that should exist among health care providers to respect everyone’s skills. If an Athletic Trainer walked into an emergency room with adequate staffing and said, “I’m an Athletic Trainer and here to help,” he/she would be quickly escorted away and probably told that this isn’t the place for them. Why doesn’t it work the other way around? Too often there is unnecessary interference from fans that want to use their health care expertise to help, but are not part of the designated team and do not know the procedures for care on the sideline. What’s worse, often times coaches, athletic directors, and other personnel allow these people on the field and sometimes trust the word of the other health care provider over the assessment of the Athletic Trainer!
It is the responsibility of the Athletic Trainer to attend to the injured athlete, determine the diagnosis, and treat appropriately. As Athletic Trainers, we have Emergency Action Plans in place if there is a need for emergency care. On the field, the Athletic Trainer is the leader of the health care team and if assistance is needed, he or she will communicate to other members of the team as needed. We are not only qualified but also legally obligated to follow our protocols for care and any outside interference could result in legal against anyone providing care. Let us do our job!
We all have a role. Let’s do what’s best for our patients and sport. We Prepare, You Perform.
Bobby Vallandingham LAT, ATC
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