A preliminary audit of medical and aid provision in English Rugby union clubs: compliance with Regulation 9

Kirsten Wing; Hollie J Bailey; Piotr Gronek; Robert Podstawski; Cain C T Clark

doi:10.1007/s11845-018-1913-z

A preliminary audit of medical and aid provision in English Rugby union clubs: compliance with Regulation 9

Kirsten Wing, Hollie J Bailey, Piotr Gronek, Robert Podstawski, Cain C T Clark

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3 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Governing bodies are largely responsible for the monitoring and management of risks associated with a safe playing environment, yet adherence to regulations is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the current status of medical personnel, facilities, and equipment in Rugby Union clubs at regional level in England.

METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey of 242 registered clubs was undertaken, where clubs were surveyed online on their current medical personnel, facilities, and equipment provision, according to regulation 9 of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

RESULTS: Overall, 91 (45. 04%) surveys were returned from the successfully contacted recipients. Of the completed responses, only 23.61% (n = 17) were found to be compliant with regulations. Furthermore, 30.56% (n = 22) of clubs were unsure if their medical personnel had required qualifications; thus, compliance could not be determined. There was a significant correlation (p = -0.029, r = 0.295) between club level and numbers of practitioners. There was no significant correlation indicated between the number of practitioners/number of teams and number of practitioners/number of players. There were significant correlations found between club level and equipment score (p = 0.003, r = -0.410), club level and automated external defibrillator (AED) access (p = 0.002, r = -0.352) and practitioner level and AED access (p = 0.0001, r = 0.404). Follow-up, thematic analysis highlighted widespread club concern around funding/cost, awareness, availability of practitioners and AED training.

CONCLUSION: The proportion of clubs not adhering overall compliance with Regulation 9 of the RFU is concerning for player welfare, and an overhaul, nationally, is required.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1093–1101
Number of pages	9
Journal	Irish Journal of Medical Science
Volume	188
Issue number	3
Early online date	27 Oct 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-018-1913-z
Publication status	Published - Aug 2019

Bibliographical note

The final publication is available at Springer via https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11845-018-1913-z

Keywords

AED
Concussion
First aid
Injury prevention
Medical provision
Rugby union
Safety

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10.1007/s11845-018-1913-z

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title = "A preliminary audit of medical and aid provision in English Rugby union clubs: compliance with Regulation 9",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Governing bodies are largely responsible for the monitoring and management of risks associated with a safe playing environment, yet adherence to regulations is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the current status of medical personnel, facilities, and equipment in Rugby Union clubs at regional level in England.METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey of 242 registered clubs was undertaken, where clubs were surveyed online on their current medical personnel, facilities, and equipment provision, according to regulation 9 of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).RESULTS: Overall, 91 (45. 04%) surveys were returned from the successfully contacted recipients. Of the completed responses, only 23.61% (n = 17) were found to be compliant with regulations. Furthermore, 30.56% (n = 22) of clubs were unsure if their medical personnel had required qualifications; thus, compliance could not be determined. There was a significant correlation (p = -0.029, r = 0.295) between club level and numbers of practitioners. There was no significant correlation indicated between the number of practitioners/number of teams and number of practitioners/number of players. There were significant correlations found between club level and equipment score (p = 0.003, r = -0.410), club level and automated external defibrillator (AED) access (p = 0.002, r = -0.352) and practitioner level and AED access (p = 0.0001, r = 0.404). Follow-up, thematic analysis highlighted widespread club concern around funding/cost, awareness, availability of practitioners and AED training.CONCLUSION: The proportion of clubs not adhering overall compliance with Regulation 9 of the RFU is concerning for player welfare, and an overhaul, nationally, is required.",

keywords = "AED, Concussion, First aid, Injury prevention, Medical provision, Rugby union, Safety",

author = "Kirsten Wing and Bailey, {Hollie J} and Piotr Gronek and Robert Podstawski and Clark, {Cain C T}",

note = "The final publication is available at Springer via https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11845-018-1913-z ",

year = "2019",

month = aug,

doi = "10.1007/s11845-018-1913-z",

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T1 - A preliminary audit of medical and aid provision in English Rugby union clubs

T2 - compliance with Regulation 9

AU - Wing, Kirsten

AU - Bailey, Hollie J

AU - Gronek, Piotr

AU - Podstawski, Robert

AU - Clark, Cain C T

N1 - The final publication is available at Springer via https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11845-018-1913-z

PY - 2019/8

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N2 - BACKGROUND: Governing bodies are largely responsible for the monitoring and management of risks associated with a safe playing environment, yet adherence to regulations is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the current status of medical personnel, facilities, and equipment in Rugby Union clubs at regional level in England.METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey of 242 registered clubs was undertaken, where clubs were surveyed online on their current medical personnel, facilities, and equipment provision, according to regulation 9 of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).RESULTS: Overall, 91 (45. 04%) surveys were returned from the successfully contacted recipients. Of the completed responses, only 23.61% (n = 17) were found to be compliant with regulations. Furthermore, 30.56% (n = 22) of clubs were unsure if their medical personnel had required qualifications; thus, compliance could not be determined. There was a significant correlation (p = -0.029, r = 0.295) between club level and numbers of practitioners. There was no significant correlation indicated between the number of practitioners/number of teams and number of practitioners/number of players. There were significant correlations found between club level and equipment score (p = 0.003, r = -0.410), club level and automated external defibrillator (AED) access (p = 0.002, r = -0.352) and practitioner level and AED access (p = 0.0001, r = 0.404). Follow-up, thematic analysis highlighted widespread club concern around funding/cost, awareness, availability of practitioners and AED training.CONCLUSION: The proportion of clubs not adhering overall compliance with Regulation 9 of the RFU is concerning for player welfare, and an overhaul, nationally, is required.

AB - BACKGROUND: Governing bodies are largely responsible for the monitoring and management of risks associated with a safe playing environment, yet adherence to regulations is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the current status of medical personnel, facilities, and equipment in Rugby Union clubs at regional level in England.METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey of 242 registered clubs was undertaken, where clubs were surveyed online on their current medical personnel, facilities, and equipment provision, according to regulation 9 of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).RESULTS: Overall, 91 (45. 04%) surveys were returned from the successfully contacted recipients. Of the completed responses, only 23.61% (n = 17) were found to be compliant with regulations. Furthermore, 30.56% (n = 22) of clubs were unsure if their medical personnel had required qualifications; thus, compliance could not be determined. There was a significant correlation (p = -0.029, r = 0.295) between club level and numbers of practitioners. There was no significant correlation indicated between the number of practitioners/number of teams and number of practitioners/number of players. There were significant correlations found between club level and equipment score (p = 0.003, r = -0.410), club level and automated external defibrillator (AED) access (p = 0.002, r = -0.352) and practitioner level and AED access (p = 0.0001, r = 0.404). Follow-up, thematic analysis highlighted widespread club concern around funding/cost, awareness, availability of practitioners and AED training.CONCLUSION: The proportion of clubs not adhering overall compliance with Regulation 9 of the RFU is concerning for player welfare, and an overhaul, nationally, is required.

KW - AED

KW - Concussion

KW - First aid

KW - Injury prevention

KW - Medical provision

KW - Rugby union

KW - Safety

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DO - 10.1007/s11845-018-1913-z

M3 - Article

C2 - 30368644

SN - 1863-4362

SN - 1863-4362)

VL - 188

SP - 1093

EP - 1101

JO - Irish Journal of Medical Science

JF - Irish Journal of Medical Science

IS - 3

ER -

A preliminary audit of medical and aid provision in English Rugby union clubs: compliance with Regulation 9

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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