Ethical Issues in the Physician-Athlete Relationship

Sports are risky. Whether the goal is winning, adventure, exercise, or just fun, engaging in athletic activity exposes one to various degrees of harm. Physicians, then, should be consulted before undertaking—or allowing one’s child to participate in—any form of sport. In weighing the risks and benefits of high school football, clearing an amateur adventurer for a strenuous climb, or managing requests for performance-enhancing substances, physicians confront ethical challenges in their relationships with athletes and parents of aspiring competitors. July’s authors share vast knowledge and experience on how those challenges can best be met.

Volume 16, Number 7: 521-588 Full Issue PDF