title: Preparticipation Physical Exams: The Rhode Island Perspective, A Call for Standardization.
abstract: As of 2015, 98% of U.S. states require preparticipation exams (PPE) before participating in scholastic sports. Despite widespread availability of a PPE monograph endorsed by six medical societies, a lack of uniformity exists regarding implementation of the PPE among Rhode Island health care providers (HCPs). Consequently, significant variability exists regarding how comprehensive a history and physical exam screening is conducted for adolescent athletes looking for sports participation clearance. The purpose of this document is to: 1) establish a uniform screening process in Rhode Island for the PPE utilizing a peer-reviewed history and physical exam; 2) familiarize HCPs with the 2010 PPE monograph, with emphasis on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal (MSK) systems; 3) encourage HCPs to treat the PPE as a separate entity from the annual wellness visit; 4) engage HCPs and sports medicine providers in Rhode Island to improve the quality and process of evaluating adolescent athletes for sports participation. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-10.asp].
authors.affiliation: chief of primary care sports medicine at University Orthopedics. He is an Assistant Professor (Clinical) of Orthopedics and Pediatrics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Kriz is also a member of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League's Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Kriz
authors.affiliation: board-certified pediatrician and immediate past president of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Clyne contributed to this article in her personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article do not represent the views of the Rhode Island Department of Health.
authors.forename: Ailis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clyne
authors.affiliation: pediatric cardiologist at Hasbro Children's Hospital.  She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Clinical) at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.  Dr. Ford is also secretary on the board of directors of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
authors.forename: Sara R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012237:Rhode Island; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000592:standards*
keywords: adolescent; athlete; preparticipation exam; screening