Die sportmedizinische Mannschaftsbetreuung – ein rechtliches Minenfeld?

Abstract

From a legal point of view, sports medical team care is characterized by various areas of tension. In particular, sports physicians have to balance health protection with patient autonomy, professional secrecy with the protective rights of third parties, and enhancing physical performance with fair competition. These dilemmas occur in extremely compressed form in the case of head injuries during competition. Using this example for illustrative purposes, elements for the resolution of such dilemmas are discussed hereinafter which lead to the following conclusion: Provided that sports medicine personnel succeed in taking measures appropriate to the individual case, supported by adequate rules and regulations, the various areas of tension appear to be manageable in practice and do not turn into a legal minefield.