Summary statement: appropriate medical care for the secondary school-aged athlete.
OBJECTIVE
To present the recommendations made by the Appropriate Medical Care for Secondary School-Aged Athletes Task Force and to summarize the subsequent monograph developed around 11 consensus points.


METHODS
The MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SportDiscus databases were searched for relevant literature regarding secondary school-aged athletes; health care administration; preparticipation physical examination; facilities; athletic equipment; emergency action planning; environmental conditions; recognition, evaluation, and treatment of injuries; rehabilitation and reconditioning; psychosocial consultation; nutrition; and prevention strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
Organizations that sponsor athletic programs for secondary school-aged athletes should establish an athletic health care team to ensure that appropriate medical care is provided to all participants. The 11 consensus points provide a framework-one that is supported by the medical literature and case law-for the development of an athletic health care team and for assigning responsibilities to the team, administrators, and staff members of institutions sponsoring secondary school and club-level athletic programs.
Almquist
Jon
J
Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, VA, USA.
Valovich McLeod
Tamara C
TC
Cavanna
Angela
A
Jenkinson
Dave
D
Lincoln
Andrew E
AE
Loud
Keith
K
Peterson
Bart C
BC
Portwood
Craig
C
Reynolds
John
J
Woods
Thomas S
TS
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012574:Schools; D013177:Sports