Athletes

Athletes represent a unique population of health care patients. Doctors, and those who create and monitor medicines, must realize that they have a unique opportunity to provide care to people who are aiming to improve themselves and their performances. Like any other health care professional, the medical professional in the world of sports must provide care at the highest standard in accordance with the established codes of professional and ethical conduct.

Athletes are, however, vulnerable to exploitation from the medical and pharmaceutical worlds. Many athletes place a large amount of trust in their doctors and coaches, and they are often willing to take any advice if it promises to help their sports careers. They may even expose themselves to “fads” that have no lasting medical impact ...