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  • Evaluating workforce needs: an investigation of healthcare professionals’ attitudes, beliefs and preparedness towards the management of Para athlete mental health at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games

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Original research
Evaluating workforce needs: an investigation of healthcare professionals’ attitudes, beliefs and preparedness towards the management of Para athlete mental health at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games
  1. Phoebe Runciman1,
  2. Maaike Eken1,
  3. Helene van der Hoven1,
  4. Marelise Badenhorst2,
  5. Cheri Blauwet3,
  6. Vincent Gouttebarge4,5,6,
  7. Leslie Swartz7,
  8. Wayne Derman1,8
  1. 1 Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
  2. 2 Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
  3. 3 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  4. 4 Amsterdam UMC location, University of Amsterdam, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Meibergdreef, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  5. 5 Section Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
  6. 6 Amsterdam Collaboration on Health & Safety in Sports (ACHSS), IOC Research Center of Excellence, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  7. 7 Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
  8. 8 International Olympic Committee Research Centre, Pretoria, South Africa
  1. Correspondence to Professor Wayne Derman; ewderman{at}iafrica.com

Abstract

Objectives To examine healthcare professionals (HCPs) attitudes, beliefs and preparedness towards the management of Para athlete mental health during the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games.

Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. National Paralympic Committee’s HCPs (n=857) working at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games were invited to respond to an anonymous online survey regarding the management of Para athlete mental health in their team. Data were analysed using descriptive frequency statistics.

Results The survey was completed by 256 HCPs (30% of respondents). Most HCPs agreed that mental health was a concern in Para athletes (n=210; 82%). However, half (n=122; 48%) agreed that they did not screen Para athletes for mental health symptoms, and half (n=130; 51%) agreed that there was increased stigma around disclosure of mental health symptoms among Para athletes, compared with athletes without disability. Most HCPs (n=221; 86%) agreed they wanted to improve their knowledge and skills surrounding athlete mental healthcare. Culturally sensitivite, non-discriminatory and contextual factors were highlighted as desired areas of education for HCPs and active information dissemination for Para athletes.

Conclusion HCPs working at the Paralympic Games considered Para athlete mental healthcare important and reported perceived stigma, yet indicated low rates of mental health screening. Most respondents expressed the need for mental health education. Culturally sensitive training and active education strategies should be implemented to optimally manage Para athlete mental health.

  • psychology
  • physicians
  • disabled persons

Data availability statement

No data are available.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-107406

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    Data availability statement

    No data are available.

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    Footnotes

    • X @ISEM_SU, @vgouttebarge, @wderman

    • Contributors All authors contributed to the conceptualisation, data collection and write-up of this study. WD acts as guarantor.

    • Funding Funding for this study was provided by the 2021 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical and Scientific Research Fund and the IOC Research Centre South Africa grant.

    • Competing interests All authors have declared no competing interests. WD is an associate editor of BJSM IPHP editions.

    • Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research. Refer to the Methods section for further details.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.