Episode 65: "Sidelines, Scope, and the EMR Question: What Sports Clinicians Need to Know"

What really happens when an athlete goes down on the sideline? In this episode of the Physical Therapy San Pedro Podcast, Dr. Ja'nae Brown sits down with Ann DeGrey, PT, DPT, SCS, EMR — board-certified sports physical therapist, EMR instructor, and founder of NovaSport Institute — to unpack one of the most important (and misunderstood) topics in sports medicine: 👉 Scope of practice 👉 Sideline authority 👉 The EMR title 👉 Malpractice coverage 👉 Chain of command in emergencies With more PTs stepping into event coverage roles, there's growing confusion around what training allows you to do — versus what your license legally permits. This episode breaks down the difference between education, authority, and designation. We cover: • What PTs are trained and licensed to do on the sideline • How that differs from an ATC's role in acute injury management • What "EMR" officially means — and why completing a course doesn't grant the title • Common malpractice myths ("I was just volunteering…" "Good Samaritan laws protect me…") • Why event-specific insurance matters • How to function effectively within a sideline medical team • When to act — and when to defer   💡 Key Takeaways: Good intentions don't replace legal clarity. Training improves readiness — not titles. Strong teams rely on clarity, not ego. Preparedness means knowing your scope, role, and coverage.   If you're a PT, ATC, chiropractor, or healthcare professional considering sideline coverage, this is a conversation you need to hear before something goes wrong. __________________________________________________________________________________ 🎧 Subscribe for more real-world conversations on sports physical therapy, performance, and clinical leadership.  ⭐ Leave a review if this episode helped you. 📤 Share with a colleague who's stepping onto the sidelines. Thanks for listening — and we'll see you in the next episode.   Stay Connected & Take the Next Step  📅 Book an in-person or virtual session with Dr. Ja'nae Brown at Physical Therapy San Pedro 🌐 https://physicaltherapysanpedro.com 📸 IG / FB: @physicaltherapysanpedro 📺 YouTube: Physical Therapy San Pedro 🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📞 (424) 536-3023 📍 415 W 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731   💪 Guest: Dr. Ann DeGrey , PT, DPT, SCS, EMR - Owner Novasport Institute, Clinic Director at Moti Physiotherapy 📸 IG: @Dpt_Ann 🌐 Advanced Sports Emergency Responder Course Link 📘 LinkedIn