But I think I would want my kid’s coach to know that she was not volunteering for doubles out of enthusiasm but because of an eating disorder.
A whole other question is who has responsibility and obligations around this.
1 Like
So tell the coach. Nothing is preventing that. Coaches are not medical professionals, and it is unreasonable to expect the coach to glean/diagnose this from these forms and to act appropriately with this information.
5 Likes
In this case, it came to light only because the doctor was doing the form for XC. Ir would not have come up if the question wasn’t part of the form.
To my earlier point, if they didn’t want to answer on the form, having been prompted to get the answer, their choice.
Per my experience here in PA - and I think my eldest first filled out this form in 2007 - no one is reviewing this information or looking at it. No coaches, no school admin, no school nurses ever looked at it to my knowledge. Of course it may vary district to district, but more than once I had to give the school a copy of the form for a spring sport, because they lost it sometime between the fall sport and the spring sport. Always make copies for yourself.
And these are just four questions out of 50 questions on a health history…I don’t think there is some sort of ulterior motive, at least not in PA. I suspect the large number of questions rose out of the litigious nature of our society. Probably the schools/coaches get blamed if a kid is injured or experiences a medical emergency, that should have been foreseeable.
4 Likes
If no one at the school is looking at the forms then there is no need for this portion of the form to go to the school. It is, at best, a needless intrusion. And, whether or not the intent was nefarious in Pennsylvania (I doubt it was), the information can be used for nefarious purposes in jurisdictions inclined to such actions. Thus the concern about Florida.
5 Likes
Seems like if no one ever looks at them, but a medical emergency occurs where some of the question answers could be relevant (in terms of the plaintiff lawyer convincing the judge and jury that they are relevant), then wouldn’t the school have added liability risk of the “should have known” type that would not exist if the school required and trusted a medical professional to clear the student for the sport without collecting the additional questions and answers?
So if no one ever looks at the answers to those questions, then they clearly are not useful in any day to day situation, but there are added costs of holding and securing the information, and added risks of inappropriate use of the information.
2 Likes
Our district has those questions on the yearly form. (date of first period and date of most recent). We always make up the answer for most recent - just because we never remember. I would have no hesitation telling my child to lie about it if there was a concern.
It never crossed my mind to be concerned about it, but I can see both sides of the debate. It does get turned in to the school, but only to the Athletic Trainer. The coaches/teachers only see the shortened emergency form. I don’t know the Athletic Trainer’s background or qualifications, but she is medical-adjacent enough for me to not have a huge issue with her having access. But - I don’t know who else has access, and I do understand why people don’t like that.
11 Likes
Really glad FL has removed the questions and hoping other states that ask the same have been paying attention to correct their situations too.
If the info is asked, the form the questions are on should only go to the doctor.
6 Likes
On the other hand, they now ask what sex were you assigned at birth, not what sex are you.
…Thereby making it crystal clear what their agenda was all along.
6 Likes