Participation Physicals

[irishfan1]

I am trying to confirm some information that was passed on to me today. I was told that there is a new or different form that incoming 9th grade athletes are to use for their participation physicals, but no one seems to know where this change originated. Did it come from the TSSAA, the state, or what? The question was raised by a middle school principal who heard about it at some meeting, but no one has seen these new forms. I'm a little concerned as to the timing of this since many students will be scheduling physicals for try-outs and participation with high school teams at summer camps. Can anyone--- coaches, administrators, ADs --- please help me on this one? I don't want to give students copies of forms that will not be honored by TSSAA. I printed copies of what was on the TSSAA web site, and I see very little difference in them and the ones we are currently using. THANKS to anyone who can shed some light on this.

[3peat]

The new form is in addition to the physical forms on the TSSAA website. All entering 9th (and 7th graders) will need to get the new form filled out by their primary care physician. I hope this helps.

[irishfan1]

It does help, but I'm still confused. I talked to our county's coordinator of student health today, and this is the information she gave me. It was sent via email to her this morning from a representative of the Governor's Office of Children's Care Coordination. "For students in the 7th and 9th grades, this is the only form that they will need for a physical and sports clearance. They also have to have the signed parent consent form, the one that has always been required by the TSSAA. The new form just replaces the physical exam and clearance forms."

 

I'm concerned that a two page document with checklists and room for explanations is being replaced by a one page document. Do doctors' offices have some type of guidelines they are to follow since they will no longer be seeing the information from the players and parents? Maybe I'm just missing or not being told something by someone that will clear this up for me.

 

Thanks for telling me what you did. It was more than I knew before.

[Metroman]

It does help, but I'm still confused. I talked to our county's coordinator of student health today, and this is the information she gave me. It was sent via email to her this morning from a representative of the Governor's Office of Children's Care Coordination. "For students in the 7th and 9th grades, this is the only form that they will need for a physical and sports clearance. They also have to have the signed parent consent form, the one that has always been required by the TSSAA. The new form just replaces the physical exam and clearance forms."

 

I'm concerned that a two page document with checklists and room for explanations is being replaced by a one page document. Do doctors' offices have some type of guidelines they are to follow since they will no longer be seeing the information from the players and parents? Maybe I'm just missing or not being told something by someone that will clear this up for me.

 

Thanks for telling me what you did. It was more than I knew before.

 

 

My understanding is TSSAA is trying to eliminate the mass physicals that some high schools have. For example, in Metro-Davidson County, Vanderbilt will have a day where each Metro school will send any of there kids for a $5 physical. Now, it's a real physical and the doctors do a good job, but I think TSSAA wants the student athlete to have a doctor that they have an ongoing relationship with. I think it is probably a good idea, but for coaches, it's just more paperwork.

[irishfan1]

I understand and agree with the idea that is the basis for the new form. I just don't like the fact that I won't have a health history on hand if I had to take one of my players to an emergency room without their parent (unfortunately, that's happened to me). My biggest gripe with this new form is that I feel like it limits the information coaches will be receiving from the players and their parents. Does anyone know if the doctors's offices have been made aware of this and have received any guidelines or requirements for the types of tests/exam they will be performing. THe state department of health mentions things like blood work, vision/hearing, immunizations, and such. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like there's a lot of gray area in the explanation of the physical itself. Maybe I shouldn't worry as much either, but I am responsible for these kids when they're with me, and I want to make sure I do everything possible for them in the event that they are injured. Old fashioned? I don't know; it's just the way I treat my girls.

[spanarkle]

[it was made by the TN state board of education and the physical follows the 7 step well child form. Most physicals athletes get are just a run through( ours is) This one will require blood work, complete head to toe physical , vision and hearing screen along with medical history and refering counsel. It is a lot more than we do at our school and will cost quite a bit more money. I was unsure of this so I called the lady listed at the bottom of the letter and she faxed me all that info. I don't know how many schools actually gave a "complete physical" in the past but now 7th and 9th graders are gonna have to have one. TSSAA has nothing to do with this so I am told.

[irishfan1]

Thanks for the additional information. That's more than I've been able to find out by asking many people today. Here's the question that has come up from more than one person, and I'd like to know your opinion on it, Spanarkle. What will the increase in the cost of this type of physical do to the students whose insurance won't cover it? I had a parent tell me today that her insurance wouldn't pay for some tests/screenings unless there was a medical reason to do them. I agree that there are way too many "run through" types of physicals. I'm from a small county, and I think that our doctors probably do a more thorough job than some. The kids have to make actual appointments at the local doctors' offices and spend time with them in that setting. I just hope that the costs don't keep some students from being able to participate, but I see that being a real possibility. If the state is requiring this, how are they going to track compliance? The forms are being returned to coaches not submitted to anyone at the state level, right?

 

I think we have decided that we are going to ask our parents to complete the medical history page from TSSAA so we will have it in case we need it. Being a little overly caution can't be a bad thing when someone's health is involved, right?

 

Thanks again for your input, Spanarkle. You answered one big question that we've been working on all day!

[spanarkle]

I am in a small school also. Our physicals that we give our athletes are free but they are not the complete physicals good enough though to get them through TSSAA. This year we will be able to give the NEW physical through Well Child. If kids have Tenn Care then the physicals are free if not they will work out a deal or they would last year. With all of this now I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't charge a lot more for the non Tenn Care person. I am sure the cost of this will vary but figure what lab work and blood screening is worth. I have also heard that some schools will not be playing freshmen because of this, BUT letting them play AAU and then getting them their sophomore year. We could not do that because of our size and location. We need our freshmen. It was stated that before long ALL kids will have to have this every year. Athletes are the target group this year. Had a good friend ask me what about that 4oolb tuba player on the field at halftime during a 100 degree football game! Think he might need a physical? Doesn't have to have one. In short I am not all sure about everything but I figure it will be an expense that some can't pay.

[etnmom]

I believe that you can access information about the Interscholastic Sports Examination Program at http://health.state.tn.us/sportsphysical/ This sports physical examinaton change pertains only to 7th and 9th graders. The new physical form can be downloaded from this web site also - see item #9. Lastly, the physical may be completed beginning May 1st.

[Eddie]

I too was concerned about this new physical. The health coordinator in our system told me this was being mandated by the State of Tennessee Health Department -- not TSSAA. Seems they require primary care doctors to see the kids (rising 7th & 9th graders) and these must be done before they can play in the fall.

 

I took mine for his physical on Thursday and the ONLY two things different from the usual "mass physical" was a urine sample and a check of his immunization record. They did not send the sample off -- just ran a protein check in the office. EVEYTHING else could have been done in the "mass physical" and he would have been seen by an orthopaedic surgeon, a heart specialist, an RN and a physical therapist. This would be AFTER he had been pre-screened by his school trainer for the old "turn your head & cough". A physician's assistant administered my kid's physical.

 

It seems to me like some of docs have lobbied for this so they can get their piece of the action. Our local hospital offers a free "mass physical" for 8 or 9 area schools and I've heard docs grumbling about giving up a Saturday morning and the opportunity to charge for the service.