| Because there is currently no uniform system for establishing, operating, or evaluating a sports medicine practice, a total perspective of sports medicine health care delivery has not been identified. The purpose of this study was to describe selected aspects of the operations of sports medicine centers and to examine their approaches to sports medicine care. Data were gathered through a self-reporting questionnaire designed for the pupose of the study which examined specifically the classification of sports medicine centers, profiles of clients seeking care, types and ranges of programs and services being provided, general operating procedures, and staffing. This instrument was examined for face validity and was trial tested by was unsuccessfully assessed for reliability. One hundred fifty sports medicine centers were selected randomly from the SPORTS MEDICINE DIRECTORY (1984), and a questionnaire packet was mailed to the contact person at each one. Follow-up to all nonresponding centers was conducted five working days after the specified return date through a letter of inquiry. Data obtained for this study were analyzed using means, ranges, and percentages. This study yielded a total of sixteen conclusions, including the following: the largest number of sports medicine centers are Sports and Exercise Injury Centers; nearly one-half of the clientele do not present with a sports medicine concern; clients are most often adult, recreation/fitness enthusiasts who consult a sports medicine center for a clinical service; the majority of programming at sports medicine centers consists of fitness/conditioning programs with very little commitment to wellness/health promotion or education programming, or to special injury prevention or management services; initial appointments are usually made through physician referral; physical therapists have an overwhelming majority of total involvement at sports medicine centers (appointment times, qualifications, functions). Among other implications, sports medicine centers appear to be traditional medical care settings which emphasize sports medicine care, are capable of serving several other populations, lend little support to the wellness/health promotion movement, and consequently have little need for health educators. |
