1. Athletic Trainer and the Athlete
Major concern on the part of the ATC should be the athlete
All decisions impact the athlete
The injured athlete must always be informed
Be made aware of the how, when and why that dictates the course of injury rehabilitation

2. The athlete must be educated about injury prevention and management
Instructions should be provided regarding training and conditioning
Inform the athlete to listen to his/her body in order to prevent injuries

3. Athletic Trainer and Parents
ATC must keep parents informed, particularly in the secondary school setting
Injury management and prevention
The parents decision regarding healthcare must be a primary consideration
Insurance plans may dictate care
Selection of physician

4. ATC, physician and coaches must be aware and inform parents of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Regulates dissemination of health information
Protects patient’s privacy and limits the people who could gain access to medical records

5. Responsibilities of the Team Physician
Athletic trainer works under direct supervision of physician
Physician assumes a number of roles
Serves to advise and supervise ATC
Physician and ATC must be able to work together
Have similar philosophical opinions regarding injury management
Helps to minimize discrepancies and inconsistencies

6. Roles and Responsibilities
Compiling medical histories and conducting physical exams
Pre-participation screening
Diagnosing injury
Deciding on disqualifications
Decisions regarding athlete’s ability to participate based on medical knowledge and psychophysiological demands of sport

7. Responsibilities of the Coach
Must understand specific role of all individuals involved with the team
Coach must clearly understand the limits of their ability to function as a healthcare provider in their respective state
Directly responsible for injury prevention
Athlete must go through appropriate conditioning program

8. Coach must be aware of risks associated with sport
Provide appropriate training and equipment
Must have knowledge of CPR and first aid
Must have thorough knowledge of skills, techniques and environmental factors associated with sport
Develop good working relationships with staff, including athletic trainers
Must be a cooperative relationship

9. Referring the Athlete to Other Personnel
ATC must be aware of available medical and non-medical personnel
Athlete may require special treatment outside of the “traditional” sports medicine team
Must be aware of community based services and various insurance plans
Typically the ATC and team physician will consult on the particular matter and refer accordingly

10. The Players on the Sports Medicine Team
Physicians
Dentist
Podiatrist
Nurse
Physicians Assistant
Physical Therapist
Athletic Trainer
Massage Therapist
Ophthalmologist
Dermatologist
Gynecologist
Exercise Physiologist
Biomechanist
Nutritionist
Sport Psychologist
Coaches
Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Social Worker
Neurologist
Osteopath
Psychiatrist