Few pediatricians are actively involved in youth sports activities. Although pediatricians are well suited to provide complete health care to young athletes, they have avoided or deferred and referred the sports medical care of large numbers of preadolescent and adolescent youth to others. Is this acceptable? Which physician is most qualified to counsel, guide, and treat the growing child and adolescent? If pediatricians do not accept roles such as the team physician, other doctors and even non-physicians will eagerly step forward. Should athletes and teams be able to participate in sports events when adequate medical support is not available? Do athletes, parents, schools, coaches, and communities understand the actual role of the team physician?
