21/02/2023
๐ MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND PROVISION IN BRITISH UNIVERSITY AMERICAN FOOTBALL ๐
Key findings
๐ Less than half of participating teams had access to a regular team first aider.
๐ Teams lack confidence in some hired first aiders.
๐ There is a shortage of suitably qualified first aid staff to cover events, with some cover being deemed too costly.
๐ There is no relationship between division and access to a regular team first aider.
Whatโs the issue?
โก๏ธ Appropriate medical provision is fundamental to the outcome of medical emergencies and injuries.
โก๏ธ It is unfair and potentially unsafe to rely on coaching staff to act as primary first aiders. If a player becomes injured the coach then has competing priorities e.g. team performance vs athlete welfare.
โก๏ธ Itโs unknown if student first aiders are acting unsupervised, however this practice puts the individual at risk of working outside of their insured scope of practice.
โก๏ธ Few teams know the qualifications of the personnel they hire. This could suggest they are hiring those without the correct qualifications to safely cover a game or training session.
So what?
โก๏ธ More first aiders with experience of the game is needed to ensure they hold the confidence of teams.
โก๏ธ Institutions need to invest in the correct medical support on game days and training to ensure the highest standards of player welfare are met.
โก๏ธ University teams should be more involved in the hiring of first aid staff.
Reference
Travis, E.L., Scott-Bell, A. & Thornton, C. A national survey of clubs medical provision and facilities in BUCS American Football 2019โ2020. Ir J Med Sci (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03201-9