Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Manual
Section 15.00 - Sports Medicine
15.00.2 Student-Athlete's Right and Responsibilities
STUDENT-ATHLETE’S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We recognize that each of you has unique healthcare needs and we encourage a partnership between you and the sports medicine team. We encourage you or your designated representatives to participate in discussions and decisions about your treatments, options, alternatives, risks, and benefits. As a student-athlete under the care of the sports medicine staff of The University of Texas at Austin, you have the following rights relative to your care and the privacy of your medical information.
KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION
• To knowledge of the names of the providers inclusive of physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists or other allied health care personnel, who have primary responsibility for coordinating your care and the names and professional relationships of other providers who will see you.
• To receive information from your providers about your medical condition, course of treatment, and prospects for recovery in language that you can understand.
• To receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure as you may need in order to give informed consent or to refuse this course of treatment. Except in emergencies, this information shall include a description of the procedure or treatment, the medically significant risks involved in this treatment, description of any alternate course of treatment or non-treatment, and the risks involved in each and to know the name of the person who will carry out the procedure or treatment.
• To be advised if the providers propose to engage in research, investigation and clinical trials involving human subjects affecting your care or treatment. You have the right to refuse to participate in such research projects and your decision will not affect your care.
• To be informed by the providers of continuing health-care requirements following initial evaluation and treatment.
• To know which rules and policies apply to your conduct as a patient.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN YOUR CARE
• To participate actively in decisions regarding medical care to the extent permitted by law, this includes the right to refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences of refusal.
• To actively participate with your providers in making medical/ethical decisions regarding your care. Your designated representative also has the right.
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
• To confidential treatment of all information, communications, and records pertaining to your care. Written permission from you or your legally designated representative shall be obtained before medical records can be made available to anyone not directly concerned with your care. You and/or your legally designated representative are entitled to access the information contained in your medical record, within the limits of the law.
• To full consideration of privacy concerning your treatment and rehabilitation plan. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and will be conducted discreetly.
• To be advised as to the reason for the presence of any individual during the course of your medical care.
STUDENT-ATHLETE’S RESPONSIBILITIES
As a patient of the sports medicine center at The University of Texas at Austin, we expect you to assume the following responsibilities:
• To report to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information regarding any matters pertaining to your health to the physicians and other healthcare professionals caring
for you.
• To report whether you clearly understand a proposed course of action and what will be expected of you.
• To follow the treatment plan recommended by the primary physician/provider responsible for care. This includes following the instructions of the other health care professionals as they carry out the coordinated plan of care.
• To keep appointments. If unable to do so, you should notify the responsible provider or sports medicine center.
• To accept the consequences of your own decisions and actions, if you choose to refuse treatment or not comply with the instructions given by your providers.
• To follow sports medicine center rules and regulations affecting your care and conduct.
If you should have any questions regarding these Patient Rights and Responsibilities, contact your attending athletic trainers or team physicians.
last updated: February 11, 2009