ATHLETE SIDELINE MEDICAL VOLUNTEER STAFFING MODELS
SAMPLE STAFFING MATRIX
WHAT WORKED WELL
• Single-venue physician lead at each specific venue .
• Utilization of physicians with Sports Medicine experience for sideline care .
• Utilization of athletic trainers for assistance with sideline care and pre-practice and pre-competition medical care .
• Physician and athletic trainer recruitment greater than 6 months prior to start of the games allowed for wellstaffed venues so no athlete was waiting for care and their chief complaints were immediately addressed .
• Air condition-controlled athlete medical training room / trailer / tent at each venue for athlete medical care as needed . Staffed with sideline staff and an RN for therapy and / or monitoring , as needed .
• Location of medical / athletic training rooms near field of play .
• After hours sports medicine care near dorms where athletes were housed .
• Early venue walk-throughs for medical staff and venue planning .
• Risk assessment completed for venue , environment , and sport to determine number of venue medical staff assigned to each practice and competition venue .
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE GAMES
• Early contact with International Federations to determine their specific needs when planning for their events .
• Bright medical shirts allowed for easy visibility , but should state “ medical ”, not “ volunteer ”.
• Plan more efficiently for hydration and cooling preparation for practices leading up to competition days .
• Overestimate ice , water , and fluids at venues , especially with elevated environmental temperatures and at outdoor events . Have ice / water / fluids ready at practice events .
• Improve communication between Sports Medicine staff and TWG venue leadership to address immediate needs of goods and equipment .
• Plan for transportation of injured athletes to walk-in clinic for advanced imaging ( X-ray mostly ).
• Early venue walk-throughs for all medical staff during planning phase .
14 The World Games Playbook : Event and Medical Overview