Course Info (BOC Domains of Athletic Training; Presentation Description; Learning Objectives; Clinical Practice Gap Statement; Clinical Bottom Line; Summary Conclusions)

Updated Jan 22, 2024

BOC Domains of Athletic Training:

  • Domain II - Examination, Assessment and Diagnosis
  • Domain Ill - Critical Incident Management
  • Domain V - Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility

Presentation Description:
This presentation shifts the focus to EMS considerations when responding to psychiatric emergencies in athletic settings. It provides valuable insights into recognizing the indications for physical restraint when athletes experience behavioral emergencies. The session emphasizes the importance of implementing restraint techniques safely and reasonably, ensuring the well-being of athletes. Additionally, it explores the critical roles of law enforcement and medical direction in managing behavioral-emergency situations.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Recognize Indications for Physical Restraint in Athletes with Behavioral Emergencies.
  2. Implement Safe and Reasonable Techniques during the Restraint Process in Athletic Scenarios.
  3. Understand the Role of Law Enforcement and Medical Direction in Behavioral-Emergency Situations.

Clinical Practice Gap Statement:

The sports emergency landscape has traditionally prioritized physical injuries over psychiatric emergencies, leaving a gap in the EMS considerations for behavioral issues in athletes. This absence of focus translates into challenges for athletic trainers, who often find themselves unprepared in situations that require implementing restraints or collaborating with law enforcement and medical professionals. Standardized protocols and inter-professional coordination are often lacking, exacerbating the issue.

Clinical Bottom Line Statement:
In the management of psychiatric emergencies within athletic settings, comprehensive EMS considerations are not just beneficial but essential. These include not just the identification of situations warranting physical restraint but also the careful and ethical execution of such restraint techniques. Moreover, effective liaison with law enforcement agencies and medical advisors is integral to delivering well-rounded, safe, and effective care to athletes in crisis.

Summary Conclusion Statements:

  • The ability to correctly identify the need for physical restraint is a cornerstone in managing behavioral emergencies among athletes.
  • Mastery of safe and ethical restraint techniques is indispensable for athletic trainers, ensuring athlete well-being while mitigating legal risks.
  • Understanding and actively engaging with law enforcement and medical advisors significantly elevates the quality of emergency psychiatric care in athletic settings.