Challenges Confronted by Coaches in Evaluation of Pediatric Athletes: Awareness on Pediatric Sports Medicine.

Objective: There are numerous athletes under 18 years of age in our country, whose physical, psychosocial and athletic developments have become more of an issue. The aim was to deter- mine challenges confronted by coaches of pediatric athletes in the referral of pediatric athletes for preparticipation medical clearance, management of injuries, pre- and postparticipation follow-up, and opinions of coaches about whether establishment of Pediatric Sports Medicine (PSM) would be warranted. Materials and Methods: This questionnaire addressed coaches' age, sex, the sport branch they were dealing with, physicians to whom they refer pediatric athletes, challenges experienced with the athlete and his/her parents during preparticipation evaluation (PPE), challenges experienced by parents during PPE, suggested branch for referral, awareness of coaches on PSM abroad, and their opinions on interests of PSM and establishment of PSM in our country. Results: A total of 352 coaches were included. The most common branch of coaching was foot- ball (21.4%). The most common physicians they were referring to were sports medicine special- ists (52.0%), family medicine specialists (44.9%), general pediatricians (33.8%), and pediatric cardiologists (29.3%). Of the participants, 69.0% had never heard about PSM. Regarding areas of interest of PSM, 55.1% stated they had no idea, 37.5% routine follow-up and 25.0% physical examination of pediatric athletes. Of the participants, 90.1% stated that establishment of PSM in our country would definitely contribute to PPE, and 94.9% stated that it should definitely be established. Conclusion: It was concluded that awareness on PSM is low among coaches and that the establishment of PSM would definitely make contribution in Türkiye.