ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TEAM PHYSICIAN

The team physician’s primary concern is the coordination
of medical supervision. This organization
includes: making sure qualified medical personnel are
attending practices and competitions as needed,
designing a plan for sideline evaluation, and having
necessary medical equipment readily available. The
team physician encourages defined roles and responsibilities
for all involved in the medical care of the
team, along with establishing a medical chain of command.
The team physician may not make all the daily
decisions but should have full authority concerning
medical policy-making.


The team physician needs to lead the planning for and
practicing of medical emergencies and urgencies. In
addition to having an emergency treatment and transport
plan, the team physician also must know the medical
capabilities of surrounding hospitals—particularly
around away competitions sites—so that injured athletes
are brought to medical facilities that are best
equipped to handle their specific medical problem
(Herring et al, 2000a).


The team physician should implement protocols that
facilitate timely and quality medical care for situations
when he or she is not immediately available.
Preestablished guidelines for return to play are very
helpful, especially when injuries to impact athletes
result in high pressure for returning to competition
before appropriate healing has occurred (Herring et al,
2000b). The ACSM consensus statement on return-toplay
issues more fully details the responsibilities of
the team physician when returning athletes to competition
(Herring et al, 2002).


The team physician oversees the playing environment.
He or she should evaluate both practice and game
facilities for safety. A safe playing environment also
involves appropriate and properly fitting protective
equipment, available hydration, and an activity level
appropriate for the climate.