Grinnell College Athletics

Evaluation of Athletic Injuries
Athletes requiring medical evaluation for injuries or other related medical problems that occur while participating in activities designed specifically for their sports participation should report to the athletic training staff as soon as possible. The sooner an injury is correctly diagnosed the sooner treatment can begin. This will result in the best possible return to safe sport participation. Student athletes should schedule an injury evaluation by utilizing the sign up board in the ATR or by e-mailing a Certified Athletic Trainer and coordinating the best time to be seen. Walk-ins are allowed but discouraged due to potential conflicts with student athletes who have a scheduled appointment. All injury evaluations are to be scheduled no later than 2:30 unless otherwise scheduled by a Certified Athletic Trainer.

 If a student athlete suffers an injury during practice, game or other event related to his or her sport he/she should be referred immediately to an Athletic Trainer for evaluation. If an Athletic Trainer is unavailable and it is a non-emergent situation the student athlete should utilize the scheduling process previously described. If it is an emergent situation the EAP should be enacted.

Injury Clinic:
At present, the Team Physician provides an injury clinic at Grinnell College for the convenience of the athletes on a weekly basis free of charge. In order to be seen by the Team Physician an athlete must be referred by an Athletic Trainer. By using this method the Team Physician will be able to make informed medical decisions and the Athletic Trainers can guarantee that the correct equipment will be available for the examination. Not all the equipment that may be necessary can be provided by the athletic training room. As such, the Team Physician may deem it necessary to see an individual at his office or refer him for further testing.
 
Physician Referral:
Commonly, injured athletes need to be referred for medical services beyond the athletic training room. The athlete should be first evaluated by the Athletic Training staff. This includes all injuries and illnesses, orthopedic and otherwise. The Athletic Training staff along with the Team Physician will then decide the appropriate referral and will help make the arrangements. Coaches are not to make referrals without first consulting one of the Certified Athletic Trainers. Unauthorized medical expenses will be the responsibility of the athlete and will not be paid by the college.
 
Treatment of Athletic Injuries:
Daily treatment and rehabilitation of injuries related to the student athletes will occur in the Bear Center Athletic Training Room under the following guidelines.
                1: Practice or Game: Once an Athletic Trainer has been informed of an injury that has occurred during a practice or game an initial injury evaluation will be performed. This will determine the type and severity of the injury, the type of immediate care that needs to be provided and what type of referral is necessary, if any.
                2: Scheduling Treatment: Any student athlete that has sustained an injury must undergo a rehabilitation program. The rehabilitation program is to be scheduled in the same manner as a new injury evaluation. The Athletic Trainer, under direction of the Team Physician will determine what exercises and modalities will be prescribed and how many times a week they will be completed. This may vary depending on student work/class schedules, type/severity of injury, in-season vs out of season, etc.
                3: Referrals: If the athlete is referred to a physician or specialist for diagnosis, it should be determined if the prescribed treatment is available in the ATR, including rehabilitation. If it is available the athlete will be treated in the ATR under the supervision of the Athletic Trainer and the referring physician rather than being treated at an outside facility. If a referral to a specialist is necessary or if rehabilitation is not able to be performed in the ATR, necessary arrangement will be made, or can be assisted, by an Athletic Trainer. We will assist in verifying if outside providers will be covered under the student athlete's primary insurance.
                4: Compliance: The rehabilitation programs are designed based on the individual's specific needs. The Athletic Training Staff will encourage the student athlete to comply with the entirety of the rehabilitation program but understand that said compliance is entirely the responsibility of the student athlete. In order to keep a record of compliance the student athletes are required to sign into the rehabilitation log in the ATR after they have completed their program each day. Non-compliance will be reported to the coaches as often as is necessary.
                5: Second Opinions: If the athlete is not satisfied with his/her injury diagnosis or recovery progress, he/she should notify the attending Athletic Trainer or Team Physician of his/her dissatisfaction and request the consultation service of another physician. A member of the athletic training staff can assist in making the necessary arrangements. The cost of the extra expenses may be submitted to the Grinnell College secondary insurance policy in the usual manner. However, Grinnell College will not cover the expenses of other physicians, hospital bills, laboratory bills, etc., if the athlete has not contacted the Athletic Trainers and requested a second opinion by another physician. This procedure is necessary so that the Athletic Trainers and Team Physician can be cognizant at all times of the athlete's prognosis and treatment progress since the Team Physician's approval is required before the athlete can resume participation in his/her sport.