1. ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

2. KEY TERMS- DEFINE  Battery  Ethics  Malpractice  Negligence  Risk management  Safety committee  Standard of care  Tort

3. TEAM ETHICS  Team Physician or the family physician is the “team Captain”. As an athletic trainer or student trainer you cannot over-ride a decision made by the doctor.  The team physician also is not allowed to be influenced by parents, coaches, or athletes for the care of the injury.  The athletes long-term physical, emotional, and mental well- being should never be compromised.

4. TEAM ETHICS  The Athletic Trainer is responsible for the prevention and care of athletic injuries.  They are responsible for organizing sports medicine teams.  They play the most difficult role in team ethics. An athletes confidential issues must be kept private. They must know when to get help even if it feels like a betrayal situation.  ALWAYS keep the big picture in view, consider the long-term effects of short-term actions and you will be ok.

5. TEAM ETHICS  The coach is a very important part of the sports medicine team. The behavior of the coach will be recognized and reflected by all the other members of the team.  The coach must be more concerned for the well-being of the athlete, and provide a safe and positive environment.  The desire to win must be put aside for the sake of the athlete.  The coach should be positive, honest, and communicate expectations. The coach is in charge if the athletic trainer is unavailable and assumes the legal responsibilities of the athletic trainer.

6. TEAM ETHICS  The athletes responsibility to ethics is to comply with the team philosophy and written ethical codes. They must respect the roles of the doctor, coaches, and athletic trainers.  The athlete should not engage in behavior that is harmful to themselves or others and should be extended to competitors as well.  The honesty of the athlete is imperative when an injury is evident.

7. TEAM ETHICS  The athletes parents must be treated with respect. They must be included in the athletes treatment and should be part of the sports medicine team.  Parents are expected to be ethical as well. They should not dispute the coaches or trainers in front of the other athletes.  Parents should have reasonable expectations from their child in order for them to play but they should also have respect for the other parents and players as well.

8. TEAM ETHICS  Administration must also be ethical. Policies that promote athlete safety should be written and followed-ALWAYS!  Administration has a duty to provide acceptable equipment when needed.  Language, attitudes, and tobacco products should not be used by administration on school property any more than students or parents.

9. CODE OF ETHICS  A codes of ethics should be written and signed by all parties involved.  See page 4-6&7 in your book for the Athletic Trainers code of ethics.  See page4-9 thru 12 for the district code of ethics.

10. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CODE OF ETHICS IS BREACHED?  All breaches of conduct must be reported or you are liable for the outcome.  A situation when safety is an issue is a “no-brainer” you must report it for the safety of your athletes.  Gambling, and/or initiation/hazing activities must be reported to insure the safety of the athlete.

11. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES  As an athletic trainer you are acting on behalf of the student. You are their advocate. You are also responsible for protecting the rest of the sports medicine team.  Litigation is a lawsuit and its purpose is to protect the athlete, and the members of the sports medicine team.  The liability of the team is determined by the litigation and the legal responsibility for loss or damage that may have occurred.  A tort is a private or civil wrong against another person or his property. Such wrongs may result from an act of omission or commission.

12. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES  DO NOT TOUCH AN ATHLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You CANNOT hit an Athlete  You CANNOT touch an athlete in an inappropriate way  Do your best to not be alone with an athlete of the opposite sex!  Negligence is the number one reason for filing a lawsuit. That means you failed to give reasonable care based on your knowledge.

13. INSURANCE  Make sure you carry malpractice insurance!  This insurance is expensive but losing a lawsuit is much more expensive.  As a student trainer you are covered by the school so that is not necessary at this time.  You must make sure that you are doing what is appropriate for the situation and that will make you safe from litigation.

14. LITIGATION  Make sure you…  Provide and maintain safe and effective equipment and facilities  Instructing the client/athlete in safety procedures and methods to minimize injury  Planning an appropriate response for medical emergencies  Taking reasonable steps to provide medical assistance when required  Preventing the athlete or client from returning to participation if there is risk of aggravating the injury.