Practice Management, Ethics, and Systems of Care
Core concepts
Understand the team physician's roles: medical clearance, emergency action planning, and ethical obligations to the athlete. Know informed consent, confidentiality (including concussion and substance use), conflicts of interest, and the principle that the athlete's health supersedes competitive interests. Understand emergency action plans (EAP): venue-specific, rehearsed, with AED access and EMS coordination. Know documentation, return-to-play decision authority, and coordination with athletic trainers, coaches, and schools. Recognize concussion legislation and state laws governing youth sports.
Traps
Questions test whether you prioritize winning over athlete safety-never. Do not disclose an athlete's confidential health information to coaches beyond what is necessary for safety. Another trap is assuming the coach makes RTP decisions; the medical team does. Recognize that an EAP must be practiced, not just written.
Rule of thumb
"Athlete safety first, confidentiality protected, and decisions documented." The team physician has final medical authority on RTP; coaches implement but do not override medical decisions.
Worked example
A coach pressures a physician to clear a concussed player for a playoff game. The physician should decline, document the clinical rationale, and follow the graduated return protocol-competitive pressure does not override medical judgment.