Affiliations: Sports Medicine Assessment, Research and Testing
Laboratory, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA | Performing Arts Medicine Program, George Mason
University, Manassas, VA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Jatin P. Ambegaonkar, PhD ATC OT
CSCS, George Mason University, MS 4E5, 10900 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA
20110, USA. Tel.: +1 703 993 2123; Fax: +1 703 993 2025; E-mail: jambegao@gmu.edu
Abstract: Objectives: Performing Arts Medicine (PAM) specializes in providing
healthcare to performing artists. Participation in the performing arts can
cause injury and impair performing artists' art and livelihood. While
healthcare is often available for professionals, university-level students
remain underserved. Therefore, our objective was to describe the successful
development and implementation of the George Mason University university-level
PAM program as a possible template for other institutions. Participants: Collaborations among the Athletic Training Education Program, the Department of
Dance, and the University Central Administration. Methods: An athletic trainer provided free healthcare services that included preventive care, acute
emergency and non-emergency injury care, assessment and referral, and
rehabilitation to the students. Results: Nearly 100 different injuries and 300 assessment and treatment healthcare sessions were provided in the first
year of the program. Program benefits included improved healthcare for dancers,
increased learning opportunities for students, research opportunities, and
enhanced university recognition. Conclusions: The PAM program offers primary injury prevention by implementing performing artists specific
interventions and secondary prevention to improve their health outcomes.
Overall, we hope the program's success encourages other institutions to provide
in-house healthcare to their students, eventually helping improve healthcare
status of all university-level performing artists.
