The Beach to Beacon is trying something that I haven’t seen a lot of to date. They are trying to collect relevant medical data on as many of their runners as they can so that if there is an emergency it will be available to the first responders who are on site.
I am relatively paranoid about handing out my private information. I have had difficulties setting up utility accounts before when they tried to convince me that they were required by law to have more information about me than I was willing to give them.
This strikes me as a good idea, though. I have had a friend suffer from some serious heat exhaustion at this race specifically, and know people that have been in worse shape at other races. Especially when running in hot and humid conditions, it is very easy to become disoriented and to further compound your problems just because you can’t think straight.
I need to look a little more specifically into the specific company being used by the Beach to Beacon before I decide whether or not to give them my information, but since I wear a road id whenever I run and I write my medical and emergency contact information on the front of my bibs when I race, I will probably provide at least some minimal information just in case something happens to me this weekend.
For more information, here is the letter sent to me by the Medical Director of the Beach to Beacon:
Dear Runners:
In a little less than 2 weeks, you will be participating in what is considered one of the best 10K road races in the country. The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon will be enjoying eleven years of history and a proud tradition of excellence.
As the Medical Coordinator of the event, I am writing to seek your assistance in an endeavor that has not been attempted in the road race industry. For the first time at any major athletic event, we are asking that all runners consider providing their medical history and emergency contact information to a secure website. This is suggested, but not mandatory.
Over my 30 plus years of providing medical care to runners at the Boston Marathon and other major races, we have never attempted such a project. Our medical team at the Beach to Beacon has traditionally shown how effective rapid medical care can enhance an event’s outcome.
At times, our medical approach is only as good as the information at hand. For years this industry has relied on the willingness of runners to complete information on the back of a running bib.
Is this how you would expect your family physician to approach your illness or injury? I can recall no other health care program that a medical record cannot be called upon to enhance the treatment of a patient. So why would our industry and the millions of runners participating in a sport we all love, resist the simplest measures of prevention? We are talking about your health and safety – aren’t we?
There are concerns regarding confidentiality and security. Once I submit this information, will anyone else have access? What happens to the information if I discontinue the service…all valid questions. When researching this program, we found a company that I can assure you will honor your concerns with a secure system that will earn your trust. MedicalSummary. com was developed to answer all of these concerns.
Race Directors and runners from all over the country have a strong interest to see how this program unfolds. I am personally asking you to re-visit the Beach to Beacon website and enter your information on the Medicalsummary.com site. This service is free of charge and will only continue if you wish to maintain the relationship.
Our medical team needs your help. As a runner, you deserve the very best medical care available. Your secure information will only enhance our efforts.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Chris Troyanos, ATC
Medical Coordinator
(Photo Credit: takomabibelot)
If I was in a high risk group of some kind (hypertension, past heat stroke victim, diabetic, current injury), I would consider it. However as a reasonably healthy runner with no condition other than a need to run on hot days, I wouldn’t feel compelled to give additional info. In fact, it might even encourage poorer behavior as rational minds who might have stopped with heat problems might think it gives license to push. How would their foreknowledge of my lack of phyiscal problems give them a better idea how to treat me if I went down and couldn’t tell them myself?
In Case of Emergency call this person is already on some race entry forms or should be on road id bracelets — no matter when you run race or not.
Yeah, one of those tough calls. I can see both sides of the issue. Hey man, best of luck at B2B! Have fun.
I think that’s why having your medical history available online (i.e. you own it) is such a good idea. The race peeps could access it in an emergency.
I know I recently was required to put detailed medical information on the inside of a running bib in a big race. I guess putting it online is what makes this new. I also noticed that there wasn’t a guarantee the information wouldn’t later be given (sold even) to medical research, much like Boston’s information was.
Mr. Moore…
Please know as the founder of MedicalSummary I thank you for identifying our work with the 2008 TD Banknorth Beach To Beacon as a good idea. I never envisioned this application when developing a personal health record (PHR) and its companion MedSum Card as requested by my elderly mother.
But in 2006 at B2B I saw a delirious male…core body temp 108 degrees…in an ice immersion treatment with no identification other than his bib number. At that point I understood Chris Troyanos’s suggestion to work together taking road race medical care to the next level. Could that have been your friend, Mr. Moore, in the ice with a medical team trying to treat him quickly and appropriately? Heat exhaustion is extremely serious.
I appreciate your concerns about privacy and security. The details you choose to input are encrypted. We never sell, share or cull information for marketing or research purposes. We only ask for your name and e-mail address. Listing your current medications and allergies..or lack of them..takes minutes and could give a clearer picture of your needs to the medical team should there be an emergency situation. Should you opt out of our service post-B2B, your account is deleted and closed.
You mentioned wearing your road ID and completing details as requested on your bib. I offer my congratulations to you, Mr. Moore. My research shows 99% of the runners in any given race do not prepare as well as you. And with 5000+ B2B competitors the odds are that a number of individuals will need medical treatment on August 2 and there’s a grand medical team waiting to help. This 10K is a beautiful and challenging track but not everyone’s body is prepared for being field-tested.
Thank you for suggesting you’ll develop this unique B2B-PHR with its MedSum Card, Mr. Moore. I truly appreciate your sharing your thoughts and printing the letter written by Chris Troyanos, B2B Medical Coordinator. I hope you’ll enjoy using your MedicalSummary in good health and safe travels…
Margie Kelly
I think it’s a good idea for folks with issues – all three of my children have a bleeding disorder, which isn’t a problem unless they suffer an injury with a lot of external or internal bleeding. My oldest son runs a lot, so I like the online option – I would include the name and number of his hematologist. Even for myself, I’m allergic to a lot of antibiotics, so that would be good for them to know.