Critical Decision Points 2.0: Navigating Initial Presentations of Head Pain and Chest Pain in Athletes

BOC Domains of Athletic Training: Domain II - Assessment, Evaluation and Diagnosis Domain III - Critical Incident Management Domain IV - Therapeutic Intervention Course Description: This comprehensive course is designed for BOC Athletic Trainers, focusing on the evaluation and management of athletes experiencing head and chest pain. Through interactive case studies and scenario-based learning, attendees will refine their skills in patient assessment, environmental safety analysis, and primary care techniques, with a particular emphasis on symptoms such as rapid breathing, headache, and nausea. Learning Objectives: Learn to quickly assess the safety of the environment in an athletic setting and identify any immediate risks to the athlete and Athletic Trainer. Evaluate the sequence of steps to conduct an effective patient assessment on an athlete exhibiting symptoms like rapid breathing, headache, and nausea, focusing on airway, breathing, and circulation evaluation. Clinical Practice Gap Statement: There exists a notable gap in the current training of Athletic Trainers, particularly in the rapid and effective assessment of acute medical situations in athletes, such as head and chest pain. This gap highlights the need for enhanced training in initial patient assessment, encompassing environmental risk evaluation and immediate response strategies. Many Athletic Trainers encounter situations where rapid decision-making is crucial, yet there is a lack of comprehensive training that integrates environmental assessment with immediate care techniques. This course aims to bridge this gap by providing in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in assessing and managing potential emergencies, thereby equipping Athletic Trainers with the necessary skills to respond confidently and competently in high-pressure situations. Clinical Bottom Line Statement: The successful management of emergent health issues in athletes, specifically concerning head and chest pain, relies heavily on an Athletic Trainer's ability to perform prompt and effective patient assessments and interventions. This course underscores the importance of a systematic approach to patient assessment, emphasizing the need for immediate environment evaluation, recognition of signs of distress, and implementation of appropriate emergency care protocols. By enhancing these critical skills, Athletic Trainers will be better prepared to provide optimal care, mitigate risks, and potentially save lives in emergency scenarios commonly encountered in athletic environments.

Dr. Ronnie Harper, Ed.D., LAT, ATC, NREMT, stands out as a prominent leader and advisor in the Athletic Training profession, offering his expertise on both local and national scales. Serving as a key member of the NATA Secondary School Committee for District IX, Ronnie's influential efforts played a pivotal role in the inception of the Athletic Training Location and Services Project (ATLAS) and the Safe Sports School Awards (SSSA). Furthermore, he's a principal author for the NATA's Appropriate Medical Care Standards document and its associated online tool, which serves as guidance for ensuring adequate medical care for Secondary School Aged Athletes. With a distinguished 15-year career in higher education, Dr. Harper has tenure at institutions such as Mississippi State University, the University of Alabama, and Southeastern Louisiana University. During his tenure at Southeastern Louisiana University, he was appointed as the Assistant Professor and spearheaded their CAATE Accredited Athletic Training Education Program. An alumnus of Mississippi State University, Ronnie boasts both a bachelor's and master’s degree from there, and furthered his academic pursuits with a Doctorate in Education from the University of Alabama, specializing in Health and Human Performance Studies. His dedication to the field also extends to active participation in the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association (LATA), notably contributing to the Hall of Fame committee. His remarkable achievement of being inducted into the LATA Hall of Fame in 2013 stands as a testament to his dedication and commitment. This dedication was further recognized in 2018 when he was honored with the District IX High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.

Action Medicine Consultants, LLC (BOC AP#: P12095) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for a maximum of 1.00 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program. GENERAL DISCLAIMER: It is the responsibility of the participant, relying on the independent expertise and knowledge of the patient, to determine the best treatment and method of application for the patient. Participants must use discretion when using the information contained within this presentation.  The presenter has provided the following regarding disclaimers: The information and content provided in this course are for informational purposes only. The presenter nor Action Medicine Consultants, LLC bears no liability for your use of this information and content. The views expressed in this course are those of the presenter(s). CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all presenters must disclose any financial or other associations with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or product(s) under investigational use.  This presentation does not involve the unlabeled use of a product or product under investigational use.  During the presentation, the presenter provides disclosure of any relevant financial relationships or other associations.  Refund Policy:  Live (virtual or in-person) Courses - Full refunds (Minus 10% for handling fees) are given after completion of the course if cancellation request is received 14 days prior to the course date. No refunds will be given after this deadline, but fees may be applied to another current or a future course. This also applies to virtual courses if a technical issue occurred on the presenter side that prevented a full presentation from being performed. On-Demand Courses - No refunds will be given, but fees may be applied to another current or a future course if there is a technical issue in Action Medicine Consultant's delivery of the course and in which no certificate of completion was issued.