That's good. And, many states have this (or similar).

Making them "health care professionals" for purposes of the rule being discussed is nuts.

+100

There's a huge difference between being trained to recognize the signs/symptoms of a possible concussion and being able to evaluate the effects and if a player should be allowed to return to play. The potential liability issues alone are huge. Leave it to the true professionals.

As the knowledge of the effects of TBI has grown, it's become clear that the emphasis has to be on the safety of the student athlete. Rightly, the philosophy is "when in doubt, sit them out".

I would never allow an unconscious player back on the court. They have to wake up sometime. And don't place them in the key cause it will be 3 seconds every time.:D

Well Illinois has a law that requires coaches to have some concussion training to be able to coach scholastic sports on some level. Now that does not make them "Approved Healthcare Professionals" where they can evaluate or approve a kid to play. There is a law for schools to have someone at games to approve or monitor these things and they have to be registered with the IHSA so if something happens those are the people that can be called on.

I am hearing that we as officials might soon be required to pass some kind of concussion testing so that we can officiate IHSA games, but I have not seen that approved yet.

Peace

In Pennsylvania, PIAA has clarified "that 'an appropriate health-care professional' is a licensed physician of medicine or osteopathic medicine (MD or DO)."

After seeing several of the responses, I am now going to inform everyone that the question in the OP is from the NFHS 3-person mechanics exam and that the answer listed is true.

Which means there should be a reference in the Manual.

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3-3-8 says player who shows signs of concussion (including LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS) shall not return until cleared by appropriate health care professional. nothing else. it directs you to the concussion guidelines which say "no player should return to play or practice on same day as concussion."
Again nothing about physician or writing.

As i said earlier, if a player loses consciousness in my game he will not play again in it. The answer to your question, however, is false as it pertains to officials. We aren't even supposed to verify anything as the case play BNR set out shows, --much less get a writing from a physician etc. maybe that is a requirement for a coach…i've never seen it. just another irritating question….

I wonder if the statement was True several years ago and the question and answer just got recycled without checking to see if it was still true.