Ethics & Laws

Every member of the sports medicine team is responsible for his or her actions and for conducting themselves in an ethical and legal manner Keep in mind – Sports medicine is “public”, everything is usually on film

Vocab Liability – legal responsibility Ethics – morals, a set of principles or values that influence behavior Negligence – the failure to give reasonable care

Code Of Ethics All ATC must follow a code of ethics Principle 1: respect the rights, welfare and dignity of all individuals Principle 2: comply with laws and regulations governing the practice of athletic training Principle 3: accept responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment Principle 4: maintain and promote high standards in the provision of services Principle 5: not engage in any form of conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest or that adversely reflects on the profession

Athletes Bill of Rights Policies and Standards for fair treatment of athletes Right to have fun through sports Right to participate at a level commensurate with their maturity level Right to participate in a safe and healthy environment Right to proper preparation for participation Right to treated with dignity Right to say “no”

Liability and Risk It is important to minimize your exposure to lawsuits Work within your scope of knowledge and expertise Follow rules and procedures Keep in close contact with coach’s, parents, and athletes Involve team physician in all decisions Document everything, and keep all important papers organized and available

Assumption of Risk – acceptance of responsibility for the risks involved in the participation of a given activity Risk Management – reduction of the potential for injury

Team Ethics Teams only work well when the members the same ethics Physician – all members of the team must respect and support his/her decisions Trainer – serves as a link between members of the team. Also determine when confidential information should be shared Coach – provide a safe, unbiased, and positive environment for athletes Tough to balance between wins and best interest of the athlete Athlete – understanding and complying with team philosophy Parents – support the team’s philosophy

What to do when “rules are broken” DON’T turn the other way You are often the first to see issues It is your job to ensure the athletes safety You are the athlete’s advocate Remember to protect yourself as well

Worst case…….. Tort – a private or civil wrong against another person or his property Act of omission – failure to perform a legal duty Act of commission – an action performed illegally Battery – the unlawful touching of an individual without consent Malpractice – professional misconduct