Development of recommendations to improve implementation of medical amnesty policies in collegiate athletic settings

To make recommendations for improving medical amnesty policy implementation in collegiate athletics based on exploration of relevant policy implementation, implementation frameworks, and athletic department input.

54 published peer-reviewed articles, 78 collegiate athletics professionals, 5 content experts with direct responsibilities related to policies that impact college student and athlete well-being, and 113 higher education institutions' Athletics Healthcare Administrators (AHA).

Mixed methods using narrative literature review, surveys, and interview data. Data coding was guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

Using coded data from the literature review and needs assessment, we identified modifiable implementation determinants and mapped these onto implementation strategies. With feedback from key organizational representatives, ten recommendations were developed and mostly viewed as feasible.

We present recommendations for amnesty policy implementation within athletics departments, but additional research and evidence-based resources are needed to support implementation.