The Holistic Athletic Healthcare Model: Addressing the Developmental, Social, and Cultural Needs of Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Many adolescent and young adult athletes only access the healthcare system through involvement in sports. Yet, many opportunities are missed in the sports medicine environment to provide holistic, quality care for these athletes that assist them in navigating toward healthy adulthood and that also address inequities that impair good health. Since most causes of morbidity and mortality in this age group are related to poor health behaviors, and comprehensive health care services are fragmented, it is imperative that sports medicine healthcare be reimagined to incorporate a social-ecological perspective that holistically addresses the unique medical, social, cultural, and behavioral needs of athletes. We propose a socialecological perspective that enhances developmental assets as the basis for sports medicine services. This innovative approach -the Holistic Athletic Healthcare Model -involves (a) addressing adolescent developmental needs and the social determinants of health at the individual level, (b) using strength-based approaches and demonstrating cultural competency in healthcare provider relationships, (c) integrating medical care with campus community services, and (d) promoting health equity in the campus environment. Engagement in sports has many benefits beyond winning in the game and health is more than being injury-free. Sports medicine practitioners and healthcare systems must be proactive in supporting athletes from all backgrounds to become healthy adults.

Toward an Understanding of Critical Success Factors for Student-Athlete Mental Health and Wellness, Academic Success, and Athletic Performance at the NCAA Division III Level

“…Given the demonstrated challenge for holistic support during the college experience, the formation of an integrated support services team and a coinciding ecological framework/model of support services may be helpful for meeting the needs of student-athletes and athletics departments. A visual model could best support departments that are increasingly expected to provide a myriad of structured services to support student-athlete holistic development (Barkley et al, 2018). The perspectives of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators alike are critical to understanding how athletic administrators can best assist student-athletes as they transition to college and form a balanced sense of identity amidst widespread mental health and wellness issues.…”

“…The existing literature suggests that student-athletes face both internal and external challenges during their college experiences as they construct lifelong career plans and balance roles as students and athletes (Comeaux & Harrison, 2011). Given a demonstrated challenge for holistic support during the college experience, athletics departments are increasingly expected to provide a myriad of support services to support student-athlete holistic development (Barkley, Taliaferro, Baker, & Garcia, 2018). This, in turn, presents a greater need for athletic department structured support service during the undergraduate student-athlete experience as millennial students leave the home environment and face enhanced pressure to perform in the athletic arena.…”

Implementing Cardiac Testing to Mitigate the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death: An Evidence-to-Practice Review

“…A prime example of this bias in care, involves how Blacks and other minority populations in the United States have been systemically denied mortgages or approval for leased housing in neighborhoods at higher rates than Caucasians for decades. 16 This housing crisis cascaded to create an increasing educational gap where Black students are inadequately prepared for academic success because they attend poorer, disadvantaged school systems. 16 Overall, this is just one example of how Blacks and African Americans have been impoverished and unhealthy because of an oppressive system established over 300 years ago that resulted in racialized institutions and further perpetuated white privilege.…”

“…16 This housing crisis cascaded to create an increasing educational gap where Black students are inadequately prepared for academic success because they attend poorer, disadvantaged school systems. 16 Overall, this is just one example of how Blacks and African Americans have been impoverished and unhealthy because of an oppressive system established over 300 years ago that resulted in racialized institutions and further perpetuated white privilege. 17 To provide patient-centered care, we must recognize how race and ethnicity, as well as other social determinants of health, may change the PPE process for some athletes as compared to others.…”

Educational Technique: Incorporating Social Determinants of Health Into Athletic Training Education

“…Negative SDH prevent development of optimal health over time and can lead to health disparities. 13 For example, type of insurance and lack of insurance dictate where individuals can receive health care services and how fast they are able to be seen by providers. Receiving care quickly is often a positive influence on health; however, delayed care due to administrative barriers, such as insurance issues, can negatively affect health.…”