Ethics in Sports Medicine
摘要
Many physicians and physiotherapists and other health personnel, who are involved in sports, face several unique ethical challenges, often on a daily basis. For instance, those who are team employed often have to “walk on tiptoes” between the best interest of the team/club and the individual athlete for whom they are providing care. This may be related to sharing individual health information and/or the stern decision-making related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment. This balance may often be delicate. Healthcare professionals often have to deal with decisions related to performance enhancement and finally return to play or competition. In many cases, the pressure is high, and there are financial aspects involved. The medical professional must always adhere to the oath of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, first do no harm (“primum non nocere”). Ethical issues pose a special challenge for healthcare professionals who work with athletes, either individually or as a part of a sports team. This is especially when they are faced with returning the athlete to competition as soon and as safely as possible. There may also be conflicts of interest in relation to confidentiality and autonomy for those involved in sports team healthcare and medicolegal concerns.