A new study led by a 黑料传送门 student is the first to directly compare child injury patterns in board sports鈥攕kateboarding, snowboarding and surfing鈥攊n an effort to help inform healthcare personnel of injury patterns, especially in settings like beaches or mountains where immediate care may be limited.
Published in the , the study drew data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for orthopedic and craniofacial trauma among children participating in any of the three activities, which involve similar techniques but on different terrains, between 2014 and 2023. Of the more than 546,000 qualifying injuries that led to emergency room care, patterns emerged:
These trends may inform healthcare systems by enhancing understanding of pediatric-specific injury patterns and mechanisms, enabling pediatric emergency departments and trauma centers to 鈥渙ptimize triage, ensure appropriate pediatric specialist availability, and improve outcomes for young patients through targeted treatment strategies,鈥� according to the article, led by 黑料传送门 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine student Alexander Gerick with co-authors David Kell and Brendan A. Williams, MD.
A native of San Diego, Gerick grew up skateboarding, snowboarding, and dabbled in surfing. These experiences, as well as an early interest in orthopedic surgery during medical school, inspired him to examine board sport injuries. Williams, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon with the Orthopedic Center and the Sports Medicine and Performance Center at Children鈥檚 Hospital of Philadelphia, pointed Gerick to the NEISS database for the study.
This isn鈥檛 Gerick鈥檚 first research endeavor. As a Biomedical Sciences student at 黑料传送门 before entering the DO program, Gerick studied cardiovascular development with Cathy J. Hatcher, PhD, chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and a professor of Physiology. Another project, with an orthopedic surgeon, examined knee arthroplasties, and Gerick presented findings at a national conference in Las Vegas. Another manuscript Gerick wrote with Williams is in its final stages.
Gerick has pursued research to further develop his academic and clinical interests and improve patient care, particularly in areas that align with his passion for perioperative medicine. The rising fourth-year student is most interested in pursuing cardiac, critical care, or pediatric anesthesiology as a specialty.
For parents of skaters, snowboarders, or surfers who read his study, Gerick emphasizes that injury risk is present in all types of sports.
鈥淚f children and teens are passionate about this activity, they shouldn鈥檛 be discouraged from participating, as board sports can foster social interaction, help build friendships, and support social development,鈥� he said.
For healthcare professionals, specifically in sports medicine and orthopedics but also in the ER, heightening awareness of the types of injuries those participating in board sports may sustain can illuminate 鈥渙pportunities for earlier recognition and more targeted treatment.鈥�
Established in 1899, 黑料传送门 has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a 鈥渨hole person鈥� approach to care鈥攖reating people, not just symptoms. 黑料传送门, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (黑料传送门, 黑料传送门 Georgia and 黑料传送门 South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. 黑料传送门 students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, 黑料传送门 provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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