Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

There is at present no consistent, organized, evidence-based approach to the screening of athletes in Canadian post-secondary institutions. In 2019, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society jointly published a Position Statement on the cardiovascular screening of competitive athletes. Fundamental to their recommendations was that institutions develop a 'tiered approach' to the development and introduction of programs designed to protect and maintain the cardiovascular health of athletes. In this respect, the application of a screening history questionnaire, the performance of a physical exam, and the acquisition of an electrocardiogram were seen as sequential steps that were built on a pre-existing commitment to ensure the presence of emergency protocols, equipment and training appropriate for the physical environments in which sport activities occur. Following the publication of these recommendations, there is now a substantial need to ensure the development of consistent protocols and programs to permit the introduction of the tiered program, in a uniform manner, across Canadian post-secondary institutions. To this end, this proposal seeks support for an organizational meeting to ensure the development of a high quality protocol for the introduction of a uniform, consistently applied screening program in Canada's colleges and universities. Participants will have demonstrated expertise in the care of athletes, an understanding of the advantages and limitations of cardiac screening programs and recognize the opportunities to enhance clinical care and facilitate ongoing research as a consequence of introducing such a national program. Of particular interest will be the identification of those conditions that might predispose to cardiac complications including 'sudden cardiac death'. As a consequence of this meeting it is anticipated that the introduction of a high-quality screening program can be initiated and accelerated.