Physicians’ Perceptions of Factors Influencing Pediatric Athletic Healthcare of Low Socioeconomic Status Patients

Authors

• Mayrena I. Hernandez, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow
• Emily C. Srygler, University of Wisconsin–MadisonFollow
• Stephanie N. Adler, University of Wisconsin–MadisonFollow
• Thomas J. Swain, Texas Children’s Hospital The WoodlandsFollow
• Marian E. Abowd, Texas Children’s Hospital The WoodlandsFollow
• Kirsten M. Schneider, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands; Baylor College of MedicineFollow
• Jonathan A. Santana, Childrens Hospital Los AngelesFollow
• Neeraj M. Patel, Lurie Children’s Hospital of ChicagoFollow
• Justin S. DiSanti, Duquesne UniversityFollow
• David Bell, University of Wisconsin–MadisonFollow

Abstract

Purpose: A patient’s social determinants of health (SDOH) and socioeconomic status (SES) play an important role in the quality of healthcare they receive. Patients of low SES tend to face greater obstacles in receiving healthcare and experience greater health disparities. Understanding how physicians provide care for pediatric student athletes of low SES is critical in ensuring they can receive appropriate care. Methods: Thirteen physicians shared experiences they have in providing care to patients of low SES, including challenges they have encountered and what strategies, if any, in overcoming those challenges in providing equitable care. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews. Data saturation was met, and the sample size aligned with other interpretative phenomenological analysis studies. Results: Physicians identified several strategies to identify patients of low SES and their SDOH, common barriers/resources their patients face, and ways to navigate care utilizing alternative methods that met the needs of each patient and involved collaborating with other healthcare professionals. The following three themes were interpreted: (a) Patient Circumstances, (b) Meeting People Where They Are, (c) Learning On The Job. Conclusion(s): These findings can help inform physicians on how to best approach pediatric athletic healthcare, specifically in patients of low SES.

Author Bio(s)

Mayrena I. Hernandez, PhD, MPH, LAT, ATC is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University. She holds a PhD in Kinesiology (biomechanics) from UW-Madison, an MPH from Kansas State, and a BS in Athletic Training from UT Arlington.

Emily C. Srygler, MS, LAT, ATC is an athletic trainer and researcher at UW–Madison’. A UW alumna (’17), she specializes in youth sport specialization and overuse injury risk.

Stephanie N. Adler, MS, LAT, ATC serves at RecWell, UW–Madison, collaborating on youth sport studies including ACL rehabilitation and specialization item-bank development.

Thomas J. Swain, MS, LAT, ATC is a Senior Athletic Trainer with Texas Children’s Hospital (The Woodlands) Sports Medicine team. He has prior experience at Tarleton State and DFW high schools.

Marian E. Abowd, MS, LAT, ATC is a residency-trained athletic trainer with Texas Children’s, specializing in knee, shoulder, and elbow care and covering Spring ISD schools.

Kirsten M. Schneider, MD is Assistant Professor of Adolescent & Sports Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, and a pediatric sports medicine physician at Texas Children’s Hospital, The Woodlands.

Jonathan A. Santana, DO, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician and fellowship-trained specialist in primary-care sports medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and an assistant professor in orthopedics.

Neeraj M. Patel, MD, MPH, MBS is an attending pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Lurie Children’s Hospital, and Assistant Professor at Northwestern’s Feinberg School. He completed fellowship at CHOP.

Justin S. DiSanti, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at Duquesne University and a sport psychology consultant, focusing on psychosocial aspects and injury prevention in athletes.

David R. Bell, PhD, ATC is a Professor of Kinesiology at UW–Madison, leading research on youth sport specialization, overuse injury risk, and athletic training practice-based research.

Acknowledgements

None

Recommended Citation

Hernandez MI, Srygler EC, Adler SN, Swain TJ, Abowd ME, Schneider KM, Santana JA, Patel NM, DiSanti JS, Bell D. Physicians’ Perceptions of Factors Influencing Pediatric Athletic Healthcare of Low Socioeconomic Status Patients. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2026 Jun 01;24(2), Article 11.