Racer Medical Examination Irony
04-29-2016, 12:52 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by LuigiVampa
+1
I always tell people that the only time I feel normal, and feel like all the stress has left my body, is when I am tearing around the track!
To Coochas' point, driving on the track is very stressful on the body, even at the amateur level for most of us. I once had to pull off on a hot August day because I was overheated and felt my brain fogging over.
I always tell people that the only time I feel normal, and feel like all the stress has left my body, is when I am tearing around the track!
To Coochas' point, driving on the track is very stressful on the body, even at the amateur level for most of us. I once had to pull off on a hot August day because I was overheated and felt my brain fogging over.
04-29-2016, 12:57 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
The obligation that PCA has is to make racing as safe as reasonably possible - this includes understanding medical conditions and medications in the context of the sport. There are potential impacts both on the driver and those around them - and hence I can tell you that those forms are taken very seriously.
A group of us volunteer our time to vet medical forms that may be concerning, and have dialogue with both affected racers and their physicians (who, as many have mentioned above, may not understand the physiological demands and risks of the sport).
The PCA form mirrors both the approach of several other race organizations as well as commercial driver assessments. IMHO the comprehensive nature of the form, and the process to both develop it and review cases, is just another indication of the quality racing environment that PCA provides.
A group of us volunteer our time to vet medical forms that may be concerning, and have dialogue with both affected racers and their physicians (who, as many have mentioned above, may not understand the physiological demands and risks of the sport).
The PCA form mirrors both the approach of several other race organizations as well as commercial driver assessments. IMHO the comprehensive nature of the form, and the process to both develop it and review cases, is just another indication of the quality racing environment that PCA provides.
04-29-2016, 01:34 PM
#18
WRONGLY ACCUSED!
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04-29-2016, 02:51 PM
#19
Drifting
04-29-2016, 05:07 PM
#21
Anjin San
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Having had a lot of up close time with Docs lately I have a couple of observations:
Go see your doc. The better they know your body the easier the check up. If you do not like yours find another who you can communicate with. I got lucky as mine is a guy to talk to. Remember your doc wants you to do fun physical activity. If not dump him like a tyre with its cord showing. Also get your vision checked as part of it. That is kinda important.
As for PCA overdoing things; really? From an origanization that seems to want you to sign a release if you use the can during the event? Say it ain't so.
Go see your doc. The better they know your body the easier the check up. If you do not like yours find another who you can communicate with. I got lucky as mine is a guy to talk to. Remember your doc wants you to do fun physical activity. If not dump him like a tyre with its cord showing. Also get your vision checked as part of it. That is kinda important.
As for PCA overdoing things; really? From an origanization that seems to want you to sign a release if you use the can during the event? Say it ain't so.
04-29-2016, 06:11 PM
#22
Drifting
The reason the vintage med form is so short (and thus puts it to whoever the driver can find to sign it) is because if they used the PCA form/method there wouldn't be anyone registered for their events.
04-29-2016, 06:18 PM
#24
Ok, all kidding aside, I'm 61 years old an have been doing DE/Instructing/Racing for almost 30 years, and the fact is, as you get older, your eyesight, stamina, and reflexes deteriorate.
Some people deteriorate faster than others... some 70-year olds are amazing, and some 50-year olds should be riding a Jazzy... its impossible to tell, but if you are doing a high-stress/high risk activity like racing, its a huge issue.
When you race, you are not just putting yourself at risk, you are putting your competitors at risk.
Ultimately, the sanctioning body cannot make determination on your medical condition... you have to do that... and if you are not fit to race, you have to make that decision.
Some people deteriorate faster than others... some 70-year olds are amazing, and some 50-year olds should be riding a Jazzy... its impossible to tell, but if you are doing a high-stress/high risk activity like racing, its a huge issue.
When you race, you are not just putting yourself at risk, you are putting your competitors at risk.
Ultimately, the sanctioning body cannot make determination on your medical condition... you have to do that... and if you are not fit to race, you have to make that decision.
04-29-2016, 06:36 PM
#25
Drifting
04-29-2016, 07:33 PM
#26
Three Wheelin'
Judging by the number of racers who get their physical a week before it's due, (or worse, ask me at the track, when they are denied), I'd agree with Peter here.
NASA has a medical officer that will get involved with borderline situations.
I did have to call in a favor to get my wife cleared to autocross when she was 7 months pregnant. Boy, did she love beating the guys in her Jetta wagon while pregnant! [It was a VR6 manual trans wagon]
Back to the OP, I am amazed the VSCDA form flies, as many docs probably don't appreciate the physiologic stress of racing, and clear a lot of older racers on good will, and good intentions.
NASA has a medical officer that will get involved with borderline situations.
I did have to call in a favor to get my wife cleared to autocross when she was 7 months pregnant. Boy, did she love beating the guys in her Jetta wagon while pregnant! [It was a VR6 manual trans wagon]
Back to the OP, I am amazed the VSCDA form flies, as many docs probably don't appreciate the physiologic stress of racing, and clear a lot of older racers on good will, and good intentions.
The thing that pissed me off about my family doctor doing the competition certification was his importing other billable tests into the process such as a screen by a demotologist on moles....
Did scooping samples of my poop help me be safer in a car?
I now have both (nearly identical) physicals performed by the same approved Transport Canada physician in about 25 minutes at a fixed cost.
Could be trade offs if a problem comes up but it's economical.
Putting this out there for the pilots, Mariners and DZ/AZ license holders that are obligated by regulation to have semi annual examinations.
04-30-2016, 10:46 AM
#27
Rennlist Member
Your family doc probably cares about more than just getting you through the race season, and it would seem to beat coming back for a separate physical for these things. As far as the poop, colon cancer will put a dent in your driving career ;-)
That said, talk to your doc - if you only want the bare minimums, he/she will probably work with you. It's your health in the end, and your choices to make after getting our advice. I don't know about Canada, but I don't make any money from ordering tests, and most of the "health maintenance" talks/exams I do are a net loss vs. turning over quick visits from a financial perspective in our current system.
That said, talk to your doc - if you only want the bare minimums, he/she will probably work with you. It's your health in the end, and your choices to make after getting our advice. I don't know about Canada, but I don't make any money from ordering tests, and most of the "health maintenance" talks/exams I do are a net loss vs. turning over quick visits from a financial perspective in our current system.
04-30-2016, 04:34 PM
#28
The obligation that PCA has is to make racing as safe as reasonably possible - this includes understanding medical conditions and medications in the context of the sport. There are potential impacts both on the driver and those around them - and hence I can tell you that those forms are taken very seriously.
A group of us volunteer our time to vet medical forms that may be concerning, and have dialogue with both affected racers and their physicians (who, as many have mentioned above, may not understand the physiological demands and risks of the sport).
The PCA form mirrors both the approach of several other race organizations as well as commercial driver assessments. IMHO the comprehensive nature of the form, and the process to both develop it and review cases, is just another indication of the quality racing environment that PCA provides.
A group of us volunteer our time to vet medical forms that may be concerning, and have dialogue with both affected racers and their physicians (who, as many have mentioned above, may not understand the physiological demands and risks of the sport).
The PCA form mirrors both the approach of several other race organizations as well as commercial driver assessments. IMHO the comprehensive nature of the form, and the process to both develop it and review cases, is just another indication of the quality racing environment that PCA provides.
I'm a member of the 7 Doc PCA Medical Committee. We have a mixture of Cardiology, ED, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Anesthesiology, more. One of us is a Doc and an attorney. Many of us specialize in Trauma. All are drivers, many of us racing for 20 tears or more.
We take the safety of PCA Club Racers very seriously. There is a significant amount of discussion amongst us all when any issues arise. Each H&P form is reviewed and any issues that appear on the form are investigated, often requiring consultation with a specialist in that field and then further discussion ensues. Page 1 of the form, addressed to the examining physician, itself generated dozens of emails before we all agreed to how appears now.
I have to agree with Matt- ours is a very good process.
04-30-2016, 05:00 PM
#29
WRONGLY ACCUSED!
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I'd like to add to what Matt mentions here.
I'm a member of the 7 Doc PCA Medical Committee. We have a mixture of Cardiology, ED, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Anesthesiology, more. One of us is a Doc and an attorney. Many of us specialize in Trauma. All are drivers, many of us racing for 20 tears or more.
We take the safety of PCA Club Racers very seriously. There is a significant amount of discussion amongst us all when any issues arise. Each H&P form is reviewed and any issues that appear on the form are investigated, often requiring consultation with a specialist in that field and then further discussion ensues. Page 1 of the form, addressed to the examining physician, itself generated dozens of emails before we all agreed to how appears now.
I have to agree with Matt- ours is a very good process.
I'm a member of the 7 Doc PCA Medical Committee. We have a mixture of Cardiology, ED, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Anesthesiology, more. One of us is a Doc and an attorney. Many of us specialize in Trauma. All are drivers, many of us racing for 20 tears or more.
We take the safety of PCA Club Racers very seriously. There is a significant amount of discussion amongst us all when any issues arise. Each H&P form is reviewed and any issues that appear on the form are investigated, often requiring consultation with a specialist in that field and then further discussion ensues. Page 1 of the form, addressed to the examining physician, itself generated dozens of emails before we all agreed to how appears now.
I have to agree with Matt- ours is a very good process.
Left to their own devices many people make stupid choices.
How many people head out on track with corded tires, mechanical issues, leaks, or inadequate safety gear?
Requiring a medial check-up keeps all of us safe.
04-30-2016, 05:09 PM
#30
Rennlist Member
