The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) states that it is ‘leading the way in the marathon world’ by offering medical volunteers the chance to earn continuing education (CE) credits as part of their preparation for the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America.
The 128th Boston Marathon is set to take place on April 15, 2024.
B.A.A notes that continuing education credits are compulsory for medical professionals to maintain their license and accreditation. The new medical volunteers program being offered through the B.A.A. will allow the event’s 1,800 medical volunteers the opportunity to capitalise on the key support services they provide on race day.
Medical support staff at the Boston Marathon includes a multi-disciplinary staff of clinicians, including physicians, nurses, podiatrist, emergency medical technicians, nurse practitioners, athletic trainers, and physical therapists.
The program is managed by Gifford Productions in Newton, MA, which shifted from traditional video training to launching a specialist Learning Management System (LMS). Its platform offers 24/7 access to tailored training modules, video lessons, and assessments, providing 1800 volunteers with essential medical and logistical knowledge for the Boston Marathon.
This year the B.A.A. worked with Harvard Medical School Postgraduate Medical Education to offer AMA PRA Category 1 Credits for physicians and ANCC contact hours for nurses participating in the training modules. This broadens the B.A.A.’s ability to educate medical staff on a wide range of endurance medicine topics.
The B.A.A. is also working with Cogent Steps in Alexandria, VA, an approved educational provider for the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AASPT), as well at the National Athletic Training Association.
Cogent Steps owner, Shelly Weinstein said “Like the B.A.A., we strive to education our medical professionals and volunteers in the best practices of care for our athletes and we are proud of this relationship with the B.A.A.”
In addition to these new educational opportunities, partnerships with the Department of Public Health and their Office of Emergency Management will allow the B.A.A to share this educational opportunity to all supporting EMS agencies, area hospital staff and public safety partners.
B.A.A. Medical Coordinator, Chris Troyanos said “We are delighted to be able to launch this CE program to support our wonderful medical volunteers. Some of the best medical practitioners come to work with us at the Boston Marathon year after year and their services are invaluable to us.”
Aside from the medical credit program and distance learning opportunities, the B.A.A. is now in the second year of its medical grant program, which helps to promote medical research… ‘using the Boston Marathon as a living laboratory which study the impacts on the body while running long distances.’
To further the B.A.A. educational mission all 9,000 Boston Marathon volunteers and all 30,000 athletes are provided with a lifesaving video on the fundamentals of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This program is designed to help athletes in the unlikely event of a cardiac arrest on the course. In addition to the video volunteers will also be demonstrating CPR at a dedicated booth at the Bank of America Boston Marathon Expo.
