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. 2019 May;58(5):547-554.
doi: 10.1177/0009922819832021. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Missed Opportunities in the Preparticipation Physical Examination for High School Athletes

Meryl Perlman  1 , Wadsworth A Williams 2nd  1 , Lainie Friedman Ross  1
Affiliations

Missed Opportunities in the Preparticipation Physical Examination for High School Athletes

Meryl Perlman et al. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2019 May.

Abstract

The preparticipation sports examination (PPE) is required for US high school athletes. We queried members of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) about what they actually include in a PPE, allotted PPE time, and counseling about full contact sports participation. Of 2300 ICAAP members contacted electronically, 228 (10%) responded, yielding 205 usable surveys. When performing a PPE, 34 (25%) always complete all of 6 selected AAP-recommended PPE components and 102 (74%) always get a concussion history. In contrast, 29 (21%) always complete all of the 6 selected AAP PPE components and 70 (49%) always get a concussion history as part of well-child checkup. Main interferences with clinician proficiency are lack of time and training cited by 49% and 37%, respectively. Pediatricians were evenly divided about whether or not to counsel against full contact sports, but were more likely to do so after the athlete sustained a first concussion.

Keywords: concussions; counseling; high school sports; pre-participation physical examination; well-child checkup.

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