AANA Lab Course 1002 -3rd Annual Fellows/Chief Residents-Team Physician_ Roles and Responsibilities-Kevin W. Farmer, M.D.

Team Physician_ Roles and Responsibilities-Kevin W. Farmer, M.D.

Pdf Summary

The role of the team physician is critical in sports medicine, focusing primarily on the health and well-being of athletes through all phases—pre-season, in-season, and post-season. Essential qualifications include an MD or DO with an unrestricted license, CPR and AED training, and a deep understanding of musculoskeletal injuries, medical emergencies (like concussions, cardiac events, spinal injuries, and heat illnesses), and psychological aspects impacting athletes. Board certification, sports medicine fellowship training, and membership in leading sports medicine societies are also desirable.<br /><br />Key responsibilities include emergency preparedness, injury and illness management, conducting or reviewing preparticipation examinations (PPE), making final decisions on return-to-play (RTP), and coordinating care with athletic trainers who are vital communicators among athletes, coaches, administration, and families. The team physician must maintain authority in medical decisions while avoiding conflicts of interest and managing external pressures from coaches, administrators, and media.<br /><br />Administrative duties emphasize establishing clear chains of command, emergency action plans (EAP), addressing environmental and equipment concerns, and maintaining effective communication. Ethical considerations focus on confidentiality (HIPAA, FERPA), informed consent, managing conflicts of interest, and navigating pressures related to new treatments and social media.<br /><br />Medico-legal aspects require compliance with governing bodies and laws, proper documentation, and careful decisions regarding PPE, clearance, waivers, and injury management. On game day, the physician assesses injuries, decides on same-day RTP, oversees medical personnel and emergency plans, and ensures clear communication and documentation.<br /><br />Overall, success hinges on preparation, communication, and prioritizing athlete safety while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality. The team physician holds ultimate responsibility for medical decisions and must avoid self-promotion through player injuries, emphasizing patient privacy and integrity within the sports environment.

Keywords

team physician

sports medicine

athlete health

musculoskeletal injuries

emergency preparedness

preparticipation examinations

return-to-play decisions

athletic trainers coordination

ethical considerations in sports medicine

medico-legal compliance