23 September 2024
At the beginning of each school year, we hear from several of our members that schools will not accept Preparticipation Physical Examination forms (aka "sports physicals") that are signed by naturopathic physicians. We have been working with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which provides guidance on student participation to its member schools, to encourage them to recognize the statutory authority of naturopathic physicians to conduct preparticipation and return to play examinations for students.
This past week, we achieved some success on this front when WIAA officials affirmed that naturopathic physicians are authorized in WIAA's handbook to provide physical examinations (rule 18.4.2) and non-concussion-related return to play authorization (rule 18.4.4). They have communicated to us that their online forms will be updated by the end of this week to reflect our inclusion.
Unfortunately, WIAA continues to recommend against naturopathic physicians being allowed to authorize return to play after concussion or suspicion of concussion (rule 18.4.5). This non-medical recommendation is not based in Washington State law, which states: "A youth athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider." Naturopathic physicians who are trained to competently evaluate and manage concussions can absolutely provide this documentation, but some schools may push back based on the guidance of the WIAA.
We will continue to work with WIAA to educate them on why it makes sense to expand their post-concussion return to play guidance beyond MDs, DOs, ARNPs, PAs, and athletic trainers.
In the meantime, if you are having any issues at all with schools accepting your signature on sports physicals or non-concussion-related return to play paperwork or if you are hearing from schools that ND signatures will not be accepted, feel free to reference the above to help educate them.