From Sideline to ER: How Interprofessional Teams Improve Sports Emergency Care with Dr. Chuck Mason

Recorded live at the Arkansas Secondary School Interprofessional Sports Emergency Care Course, or "Arkansas ISEC", July 7, 2025, at Cabot High School with guest Dr. Chuck Mason - Medical Director, Metro EMS (Little Rock AR) and emergency medicine physican at Cabot Emergency Hospital.

Episode Summary

Host Dr. Ray Castle, ATC, NREMT, is joined by Dr. Chuck Mason—Emergency Room Physician at Cabot Emergency Hospital and Medical Director for Metro EMS serving greater Little Rock. Broadcasting from Arkansas, Ray and Dr. Mason discuss the essential role of interprofessional communication and continuous education in sports emergency care.

This session offers unique insights from Dr. Mason’s decades of emergency medicine experience, emphasizing how effective teamwork and regular education transform outcomes on the field.

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Topics Covered

• The Power of Interprofessional Communication:
  Why every stakeholder (EMS, AT, nurses, physicians) needs to understand roles and support each other.

• Education: The Living Document Approach:
  Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) aren’t shelf material—they must be reviewed and practiced regularly.

• Continuous Learning:
  Just like a garden, if you don’t keep tending to education, weeds (gaps) take over. Annual refreshers are a must.

• Data-Driven Emergency Care:
  How technology and protocols are streamlining emergency response for things like exertional heat illness and concussion.

• Local Adaptation:
  No matter your setting—urban or rural—coordinating care and streamlining protocols are key.

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Special Feature:

Fun Fact About Dr. Mason:
He’s more of a farm boy than a doctor—when not in the ER or on call for Metro EMS, you’ll probably find him outdoors!

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Bonus Content

Stay tuned as Dr. Castle and Dr. Mason co-lead a hands-on lab on Exertional Heat Illness Management, demonstrating real-world teamwork from field to ER.

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Key Takeaways

✅ Interprofessional communication is critical for effective emergency response
✅ Emergency protocols should be living, frequently reviewed documents
✅ Education must be ongoing to keep teams sharp and prepared
✅ Data and technology are improving care—but only if everyone knows what’s available
✅ Local adaptation matters: protocols and teamwork should fit your environment

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About the Guest:
Dr. Chuck Mason

• Medical Director, Metro EMS (Little Rock area)

• Emergency Room Physician, Cabot Emergency Hospital

• Advocate for collaborative, data-driven emergency care—and a farm boy at heart!

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Legal Disclaimer:
The medical information in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Stay prepared. Stay proactive. See you next time on the AT Pit Crew Podcast!