A Cross Sectional Survey of International Horse-Racing Authorities on Injury Data Collection and Reporting Practices For Professional Jockeys.

The research study investigates the methods of injury data collection and reporting for professional jockeys across international horse-racing authorities, highlighting the disparities in surveillance practices and the lack of standardization. It emphasizes the need for evidence-based injury prevention measures, facilitated by mandatory data collection.

Objective of the Study

• The study primarily aimed to identify the methods of injury surveillance employed by global horse-racing authorities (HRAs) and investigate the specific types of injury data collected and reported by each.
• It aimed to highlight inconsistencies in definitions of injury, parameters to define injury severity, and presence of a designated role for data collection, thereby emphasizing the necessity for standardization across jurisdictions.

Methodology of the Study

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted among representatives, like the Chief Medical Officers, from international HRAs. The modes for conducting the survey were online and via paper questionnaire.
• The questionnaire comprised 32 questions to understand the facilitators and barriers towards effective data collection and to identify the types of data being collected and reported.
• Representatives from 15 international racing jurisdictions participated in the survey.

Findings of the Study

• Out of 15 participating jurisdictions, 12 reported collection of data related to race day injuries or falls. However, the definitions of ‘medical attention’ and ‘time loss’ varied across these jurisdictions.
• Half of the HRAs did not have a specific definition for ‘jockey injury’, and more than half lacked parameters to describe injury severity.
• Only two HRAs collected data related to race day exposure.
• Usually, the HRAs reported results as either the total number of injuries or the proportion of injured jockeys.

Challenges and Recommendations

• One of the key hurdles in injury surveillance was the absence of a designated role for data collection, collation, and reporting.
• Majority of HRAs agreed that making data collection mandatory would improve injury surveillance practices.
• The paper emphasizes the need for standardization of jockey injury surveillance at an international level to enable evidence-based prevention of injuries.
• It also recommends exploring ways of integrating improved reporting practices within the current structures of HRAs.