Recommendations for key data items that should be collected and reported on in surveillance systems to enable multiple and subsequent injuries/illnesses to be monitored (modified from Finch and Fortington115)
| Data items | Why it is important |
| 1. Unique identifier to link all injuries/illnesses in one participant | All participants require a unique identifier that covers all seasons/time periods and should be anonymised to protect privacy and confidentiality. |
| 2. The injury/illness time order sequence | The exact date (day, month, year) of onset for each health problem is essential for the sequence to be clear. For greater precision, time can be important if multiple events/heats each day (eg, swimming). |
| 3. Multiple injury/illness type details | Multiple injuries and illnesses can be the result of different or same event or aetiology, coincide at the same time or a mixture of both. Injuries/illnesses need to be linked to the specific circumstances/events that led to them. Date and time stamping, directly linked to diagnoses of all injuries/illnesses can inform these relationships. |
| 4. Injury/illness details, including diagnosis | Collect information on the nature, body region/system, tissue/organ, laterality and diagnosis for all injuries/illnesses. Sport injury/illness diagnostic classification and coding is optimal. |
| 5. Details of circumstances and time elapsed between | The time elapsed between injuries/illnesses will be determined by date and time stamping. If away from participation in sport then it is important to collect details and date/time stamps regarding rest, rehabilitation, treatment, training, modified sport participation and return to play. |