• Namita Bhardwaj, Grant S Pierre, Alexandra P Halloran, Taylor C Alexander, Stacy H Leung, Yu Lu, and Kendall M Campbell.
• From the Department of Family Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX (NB, TCA, SHL, KMC), Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX (NB), Department of Family Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA (GSP), Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX (APH), Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (YL). nabhardw@utmb.edu.
• J Am Board Fam Med. 2024 Jan 5; 36 (6): 103310371033-1037.

PurposeTo determine the incidence of the documentation of athlete failure of preparticipation sports physicals.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study that involved review of preparticipation examination physical form documentation from multiple clinicians for all student athletes who participated in athletics during the 2018 to 2019 academic year at Galveston Independent School District (GISD). We collected the reasons for failure to pass the preparticipation physical examination.ResultsOf the approximately 800 student athlete forms reviewed, 183 forms indicated individual athletes failed the visual acuity or cardiovascular portions of the preparticipation physical examination.DiscussionAthlete failures of the preparticipation physical examination may cause delays in sports participation, and time and monetary costs to students and their parents. Inconsistences in guidelines used to clear athletes as well as variation in form completion impacts whether athletes reportedly failed or passed the examination. Mass participation screening becomes a safety net for communities for athletes who may not have primary care providers to encourage follow-up with a regular clinician for previously undiagnosed medical issues and standardizing guideline use and form completion across clinicians who do these exams may improve numbers of athletes who are cleared to play sports.ConclusionFocusing on preventable and addressable preparticipation examination failures may help clinicians who perform these exams, while also establishing a safety net for previously undiagnosed medical conditions. Instituting yearly vision checks, addressing cardiovascular issues, and encouraging yearly follow-up with primary care clinicians can more readily address physical and mental health issues and will provide more comprehensive care to student athletes.© Copyright by the American Board of Family Medicine.

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