title: Immediate care of school sport injury.
abstract: School sport is a major cause of injury in the post-primary age group. The importance of primary prevention in sport has been identified; however secondary prevention of school related sport injury has not been described in Ireland. A random sample of 450 schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was studied using a postal questionnaire. Current management of sport injury, with particular interest in the expertise and training of teachers and coaches, was explored. Replies were received from 333 (74%) schools. There was no physical education teacher with up to date first aid training in 37% schools. Immediate care in terms of mechanisms and equipment to deal with injury was available in 35%-81% of schools responding. Correct response ranged from 65%-90% to four scenarios: commonly presenting yet potentially serious management problems. This study demonstrated deficiencies in sport injury care. In addition to concern about current training, a need for basic life support training is highlighted. These findings have implications for the prevention of school sports injuries.
authors.affiliation: Accident and Emergency Department, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, UK. liz.abernethy@btopenworld.com
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacAuley
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: McNally
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004630:Emergencies; D005178:Faculty; D005392:First Aid / Q000379:methods*; D006266:Health Education; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008020:Life Support Care; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce