Sports medicine doctor in Latviawho qualifies for a state-funded check and how to book it

The Latvian Sports Medicine Association states that the work covers:

• Healthcare for athletes, including children under high physical load, para-athletes and adapted sport participants: in-depth, stage and additional preventive medical checks, medical and pedagogical observation, and medical supervision.
• Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury related to physical activity and sport, plus physical and rehabilitation medicine measures in sport.
• Preparing athletes for exertion and supporting recovery afterwards.
• Organising and coordinating care with other health professionals and sports organisation staff.
• Questions about food supplements, medicines and other pharmacological substances in sport and their effects.

The Children's Clinical University Hospital states that at the Sports Medicine Centre young athletes undergo:

• Blood and urine tests, with results ready before the appointment with the sports doctor, in about an hour.
• An ECG at rest and after exertion.
• A vision test.
• Physical development tests.

At the consultation the doctor assesses physical development; the physical and functional state of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory and other systems; adaptation and contraindications to high physical load; and suitability for the chosen sport. The doctor then assigns the athlete to a clinical-functional group and issues an extract and a consultant's opinion.

The doctor states whether the child is practically healthy or needs further tests, and gives recommendations on whether to continue training at the current load or change something.

• The Latvian Sports Medicine Association states that sports doctor, specialty code P36, is a base medical specialty.
• It is obtained after 6 years of basic study at the medical faculty of Rīga Stradiņš University or the University of Latvia and 4 years of specialisation in sports medicine residency.
• The association states that sports doctors must keep learning continuously by attending association meetings and educational seminars.
• The certificate is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires 250 continuing education points plus a 48.38 EUR fee.
• Entry in the practitioners register must be renewed every 5 years.

Public sources set out these conditions:

• Bring identity documents for both the athlete and the parent.
• From age 14 the athlete may attend without parents, but both questionnaires must be completed by the parents. Without the questionnaires athletes are not registered and the check does not take place.
• Attend having eaten, healthy and free of injury and viral infection. If the athlete is excused from PE lessons, the check will be refused.
• Blood samples are taken on site; urine must be brought in a pharmacy container.
• The procedure takes roughly a full two to three hours.

• The athlete is assigned to the relevant clinical-functional group.
• An extract and a consultant's opinion are issued.
• Where needed, the doctor orders further tests and specialist consultations.
• If an exemption from PE lessons is required, the sports doctor issues the note.
• The doctor gives recommendations on future training load in the chosen sport.

The in-depth preventive medical check is state-funded for the specified age groups and sports, and available once a year.

• In-depth preventive check, ages 10 to 17Price EUR: 0.00Source: BKUS
• In-depth check, ages 8 to 17 in specified sportsPrice EUR: 0.00Source: BKUS
• Patient co-payment for a child under 18Price EUR: 0.00Source: NVD
• Checks and tests at private sports centres and clinicsPrice EUR: per provider price listSource: private providers

Public sources note that athlete health can also be managed privately, with parents paying for tests, checks and physiotherapy at private sports centres and clinics.

The specialty body is the association "Latvijas Sporta medicīnas asociācija", registration number 40008262072, registered address Brīvības gatve 363-60, Rīga, LV-1024, board chair Sandra Rozenštoka, lsma.lv.

Certificates are issued by the Certification Council of the Latvian Medical Association. The sector regulator is the Health Inspectorate.

If you have doubts about the quality of care, raise them first with the provider's management. If that does not resolve it, the child's legal representative may submit a written complaint to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement, and it is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site.