Perspective of Medical Care Providers on Elite Athletes’ Pre-participation Examination and Periodic Health Evaluation

Abstract

In 2009, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a consensus statement on elite athletes’ Preparticipation Examination (PPE) and Periodic Health Evaluation (PHE). However, these criteria have not been standardized. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine whether significant differences exist in the PPE & PHE scales between German and Taiwanese medical care providers (MCPs); (2) to determine whether any significant differences exist among MCP cohorts’ usages of or attitudes towards psychosocial factors during an athlete’s injury and rehabilitation-related treatment and (3) to investigate the correlations between the scales employed. Among eighty-six MCPs, 52 from Taiwan (21 female, 31 male, age = 36.9 ± 10.3 yrs) and 34 from Germany (20 female, 14 male, age = 36.3 ± 8.2 yrs) were participated. The inclusion criteria is that participant status should be a current or retired MCP for national team athletes of Olympic sports. Four parts were derived from the 1st hypothesis. Part 1: Significant differences was noticed between German and Taiwanese cohorts’ PPE & PHE scales, Importance and Psychosocial Factor Scale results. Part 2: Significant differences on scores for the PPE & PHE Giving Scale and its 3 subscales were found between MCPs’ positions. Part 3: Medical education/ training showed no influencing effect on the outcome of 3 PPE & PHE-related scales. Part 4: German cohorts participated in regional international championships over twice as often as their Taiwanese counterparts. The results of the 2nd hypothesis showed that the Psychosocial Factor Scale portrayed significant differences in MCPs’ nationalities, but this was not related to their experience levels, medical education/training or medical care position. The results of the 3rd hypothesis showed that the Psychosocial Factor Scale was significantly correlated with the PPE & PHE Importance Scale. This study concludes that medical education/training background is not a determining factor in the promotion of PPE & PHE-related core values. German cohorts’ professional positions specifically reflected the IOC consensus statement-based PPE & PHE job assignments. Sports medicine doctors are mainly responsible. Overall, the national medical care environment could be a factor to influence cognitive outcomes of PPE & PHE and psychosocial related establishments. Life experience (age) seems to be more important than the degree of competition participation experience.