Multimedia Book Helps Improve Patient Care For Sports-Related Injuries

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 30 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PST

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A new and innovative book for pediatricians is taking a different approach in helping to increase knowledge and understanding in the field of sports medicine. The book applies written information on sports medicine along with video case-based teaching to fully demonstrate the proper ways of diagnosing and treating sports related injuries in young athletes.

With more than 30 million children playing sports in the United States, sports injuries are the most common cause of visits to pediatricians for people under 18. Yet less than six hours of training during a pediatrician's residency is related to musculoskeletal and sports medicine. Recognizing the need for improving knowledge and clinical skills in this area, the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) teamed up with Jordan D. Metzl, M.D., FAAP, sports medicine physician and nationally recognized pediatric sports medicine specialist at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery to come up with a solution.

The result is a trendsetting book, Sports Medicine in the Pediatric Office: Multimedia Case-Based Text with Video, a book and DVD which explain and show how to examine specific sports injuries, how to differentiate between different types of injuries, how to evaluate x-rays, and provides prevention exercises for patients and handouts that pediatricians can share with patients.

"From my experience people learn best through hands-on teaching," said Dr. Metzl. "That's why we decided to include case studies and a DVD along with the written text. It allows pediatricians to see how they should assess, diagnose and treat common sports injuries. Most importantly it's a resource to help them provide quality patient care."

Sports Medicine in the Pediatric Office has come out to many accolades from the medical community. "In many ways, this volume is the informational 'strength training' we have all been waiting for when it comes to improving our knowledge and clinical skills in the field of sports medicine," said Lewis R. First, M.D., FAAP, professor and chair of the department of pediatrics at University of Vermont College of Medicine and chief of pediatrics at Vermont Children's Hospital in the foreword of the book.

In commenting about the book to fellow pediatricians, Andrew Gregory, M.D., FAAP from Vanderbilt University said, "This is a must-have reference for every pediatrician's office. The videos walk you through everything you need to know about sports medicine injuries in children. This is like the musculoskeletal rotation that you never got in residency."

Increasing knowledge among pediatricians about sports injuries is not limited to the United States. "The lack of training during residency is a worldwide issue," said Dr. Metzl. "That's why this multimedia resource is also being translated into several other languages; so that pediatricians throughout the world can benefit from it."

The selection of Dr. Metzl and Hospital for Special Surgery for this project further demonstrates the hospital's leadership in education. "With quality patient care at the center of the sports medicine service, our physicians and residents remain committed to being a source for outstanding initiatives in education, training, research and information for local, national and international communities," said Russell F. Warren, M.D., attending orthopedic surgeon at HSS.

Contributors to the book from Hospital for Special Surgery include Robert G. Marx, M.D., MSc, FRCSC, attending orthopedic surgeon; Ben Heyworth, M.D., resident physician in orthopedic surgery; Drago Novkovic, ATC, athletic trainer; Amanda Sparrow, PT, advanced clinician in pediatrics; James Voos, M.D., resident physician in orthopedic surgery.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Click here to view sample chapters from Sports Medicine in the Pediatric Office: Multimedia Case-Based Text with Video that demonstrate how the book takes a comprehensive approach to improving pediatricians' knowledge.

About Hospital for Special Surgery

Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked as No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S.News & World Report, and has received Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In the 2006 edition of HealthGrades' Hospital Quality in America Study, HSS received five-star ratings for clinical excellence in its specialties. A member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weil Cornell Medical College, HSS provides orthopedic and rheumatologic patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. All Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are on the faculty of Weil Cornell Medical College. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at http://www.hss.edu/.

Source: Phyllis Fisher
Hospital for Special Surgery