wheelchairs and helmets, for example). Co-operation protocols for different professionals must be established so everyone knows what his or her role is in the team. Participants in medical teams have indicated that at special events recognition of and respect for the skills of different professionals is far better than in the regular medical system. It is a common lament that, if only the daily medical system mirrored sporting events, patients would have superior and faster medical care. Preparing medical coverage is multifaceted. The logistics of various locations are important. Depending on the size of the contingent competing at a location, more personnel could be required. Who staffs a given location also depends on how far it is from a major hospital and what events are taking place. Motor cross and skiing events may be taking place farther from a major hospital and might need a more comprehensive med-ical presence compared to, say, track and field events. Injuries are more likely to occur with certain sports; professionals trained in emergency care will be more of a presence in events with higher risks of injury, such as rugby. On the other hand, certain events are more likely to require massage, such as swimming. Hence, the profile of the medical professionals present depends on the sport and the location. Larger foreign teams do come with their own medical team. The insurance of their medical staff indicates they may work with their own athletes even though they are in Canada, where their insurance usually does not apply. The corollary is that the Canadian host medical team may work with all athletes – foreign and Canadian – so long as contact occurs in Canada. Foreign medical doctors may assess their own athletes and suggest treatment or medication, but their Canadian counterparts will then have to prescribe the appropriate medication. Frequently, when a variety of languages are spoken, translation services will be required as well. The Pan Am Games will most likely have English as a predominant language. However, French and Spanish will also be of-ficial languages of the event. Volunteers are asked, if possible, to brush up on their Spanish and French. Medical personnel at major games can be divided into three groups. Individual teams from all countries, including Canada, may have their own dedicated team therapist. This is usually someone who is very familiar with the sport and who has worked extensively with the team previously. Often, that therapist has been an athlete in that particular sport. Large foreign contingents will also have a core medical team which serves their athletes in general. There is also a host medical team provided by the home country, which is usually based somewhere central as well as in satellite clinics close to event locations. The host medical team serves all athletes – the host country’s athletes, as well as foreign athletes. Smaller foreign contingents with little or no medical staff of their own will rely more heavily on the host country’s medical team. Head therapists and physicians often have a cellphone dedicated to the event, enabling other staff to reach them at all times. In truth, nowadays it is realistic that everyone on the medical team will be equipped with a mobile com-munication device such as a cellphone. Health forms, record keeping and consent protocols must be organized. An emergency action plan must be established with all involved personnel knowing exactly what to do in this eventuality. Equipment (stretchers, spinal boards, treat-ment tables, modalities) and supplies (tape, tensors, ice), as well as sanitizers for the equipment and hands, must be available and paid for – hence the value of sponsors. If concussions are likely in the sport, SCAT forms (sport concussion assessment tools) must be available. Aside from the resumé-building and networking oppor-tunities, being part of such an event is as exciting as it is rewarding. An international sporting event, such as the Pan Am Games, comes only rarely to Toronto. This is an opportunity to be embraced. Chiropractors and other sport medicine practitioners interested in participating in a sport event should start getting involved through their neighbourhood sport events. They will gain experience in sport medicine, make contacts and improve their skills. For more about volunteering opportunities for the 2015 Pan Am Games, visit www.toronto2015.org/volunteer. 40 Canadian Chiropractor June 2014 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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