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Immediate care of school sport injury
  1. L Abernethy1,
  2. D MacAuley2,
  3. O McNally3,
  4. S McCann4
  1. 1Accident and Emergency Department, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast
  2. 2Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Queens University of Belfast
  3. 3School of Nursing, University of Ulster at Jordanstown
  4. 4School of Nursing, University of Ulster at Magee
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Liz Abernethy, Accident and Emergency Department, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 1RH, UK;
 liz.abernethy{at}btopenworld.com

Abstract

School sport is a major cause of injury in the post-primary age group. The importance of primary prevention in sport has been identified; however secondary prevention of school related sport injury has not been described in Ireland.

A random sample of 450 schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was studied using a postal questionnaire. Current management of sport injury, with particular interest in the expertise and training of teachers and coaches, was explored.

Replies were received from 333 (74%) schools. There was no physical education teacher with up to date first aid training in 37% schools. Immediate care in terms of mechanisms and equipment to deal with injury was available in 35%–81% of schools responding. Correct response ranged from 65%–90% to four scenarios: commonly presenting yet potentially serious management problems. This study demonstrated deficiencies in sport injury care. In addition to concern about current training, a need for basic life support training is highlighted. These findings have implications for the prevention of school sports injuries.

  • immediate care
  • school
  • sport
  • A&E, accident and emergency
  • NI, Northern Ireland
  • PE, physical education
  • ROI, Republic of Ireland
  • immediate care
  • school
  • sport
  • A&E, accident and emergency
  • NI, Northern Ireland
  • PE, physical education
  • ROI, Republic of Ireland

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