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On-Site Physicians at a Major Sporting Event in Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

E. Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa ,
Temitope O. Alonge ,
Simbo D. Amanor-Boadu ,
Arinola A. Sanusi ,
Olatunji B. Alese ,
Olufunmilade O. Omisanjo ,
Abiodun O. Adeyinka ,
Arinola O. Sanya ,
Paul A. Ogunbunmi  and
Isaac F. Adewole
E. Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa*
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Temitope O. Alonge
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Simbo D. Amanor-Boadu
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Arinola A. Sanusi
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Olatunji B. Alese
Affiliation:
University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Olufunmilade O. Omisanjo
Affiliation:
University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abiodun O. Adeyinka
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Arinola O. Sanya
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Paul A. Ogunbunmi
Affiliation:
University Health Services, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Isaac F. Adewole
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
*
E. Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, MD, FRCS, FWACS Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, POB 7193 Secretariat, Ibadan, Nigeria E-mail: okeoffa@yahoo.com or eoolapadeolaopa@comui.edu.ng
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Abstract

Introduction:

Although the need for on-site physicians at mass gatherings has been investigated in developed countries, it has not been studied in a developing country, where resources are limited, paramedical services are unavailable, and transportation and other facilities are inadequate.

Hypothesis:

The presence of on-site physicians would result in the effective management and prehospital care of casualties at mass gatherings or major sporting events in a developing country.

Methods:

A retrospective review of the planning procedures and medical records of the 19th Nigerian University games was conducted. Data from demographic profiles of visitors presenting to the on-site, secondary, and tertiary medical centers and the treatments used were extracted from log-books and processed and interpreted.

Results:

The Games hosted 6,000 accredited athletes and officials, and an estimated 80,000 spectators. Medical coverage was provided by 54 doctors and other healthcare staff at on-site, secondary, and tertiary medical centers. No trained paramedics were available. A total of 494 visits were made to the medical centers (medical usage rate of 2.1/1,000, patient presentation rate of 0.08). Forty-six percent of the visitors were evaluated by a physician on-site. Ninety percent of the visits were managed on-site, while 5% and 3% were referred to secondary and tertiary medical centers, respectively.

Conclusion:

The presence of on-site physicians at a major sporting event resulted in the majority of injuries and complaints being effectively treated on-scene. This reduced the number of hospital referrals and saved time and money for treatment.

Keywords

emergency medical care teamsmass gatheringsNigeriaon-site physicianssporting eventstrauma
Type
Special Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , February 2006 , pp. 40 - 44
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2006

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