Health care coverage of high school athletics in South Carolina: does school size make a difference?

Despite an apparently high injury rate, medical coverage available to these high school athletes is often not immediately present during practice and games. The purpose of the present study was to examine the current conditions of health care coverage and delivery to the football program and associated athletic departments in the public and private high schools in South Carolina. Additionally, the relationship between student enrollment and medical coverage was examined. A survey, based upon previously utilized instruments, was sent to the athletic directors at the public and private high schools with interscholastic football programs in South Carolina. The survey included questions pertaining to the medical coverage, including personnel, equipment, and record systems, for football practices and games. Based upon the results of the survey, a majority of high schools in South Carolina appear to have adequate sports medicine coverage and compare favorably with the results of similar data from other states. The medical coverage does significantly vary depending upon the enrollment size of the high school. In spite of this finding, the health care provided high school athletes is often inconsistent and training and equipment required for basic first aid is often absent.