The Analysis of Medical Services during Summer Universiade

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to supply basic data for medical supports of the international games held in Korea and to design adequate plans for medical support systems in the international games. METHODS: We analyzed patients who visited the medical facilities during Summer Universiade Daegu 2003. A total of 3,363 individuals used the Athlete's Village Polyclinic during the Game, but a total of 1,079 cases were treated with traditional oriental medicine and were excluded. Standard charts were available for the 2,248 cases. Data were collected regarding patients' sex, age, participation role, chief complaint, diagnosis, visits of medical departments, management, and disposition. We classified patients according to acuity scoring criteria (a four-tier triage system), economies, and the data compared. Significant athlete injuries were triaged immediately by physicians stationed at the event scene. RESULTS: In the analysing, we used 2,248 cases, including some repeat visits. There were 987 visits by athletes, 937 visits by officials, 236 visits by staffs, and 88 visits by others. Musculoskeletal diseases were the primary chief complaint. Curiously, the lower income group visited the Polyclinic more often than the high income group. CONCLUSION: Most Polyclinic staffs were volunteers, providing encouragement and enthusiasm to patients. In this study, patient were contacted with emergency physicianbased medical service. For the future plans of the medical supports for similar events, effective medical plans should be finalized by considering multiple factors.