Study of the recruitment and retention of medical officers to Australian Football League clubs in Australia.

The problems for Australian Football League clubs in accessing medical services during the football season in Australia are escalating. This study surveyed medical officers, club officials and Sports Medicine Australia members nationally. Issues for all those involved were explored and any difficulties highlighted in regard to the reasons why doctors were reluctant to provide services to this sporting group. Overall, 132 Sports Medicine Australia members responded to the survey. In addition, 53 medical officers and 28 club officials were surveyed by telephone. This study revealed that there was a definite mismatch between club officials and medical officers as to what was important to doctors in deciding to provide services to a club. The main issues were time demands, the lack of equipment and facilities, remuneration, and impact on family life during the football season. The future of medical officers within Australian football clubs is in need of review if a shortage of trained medical officers providing services to the clubs is to avoid a crisis in the near future.