Information for Health Care Providers about the Screening Project

Overview of Administering the Screen

There are comprehensive guidelines that accompany the screening tool.  If you are looking for an overview, these are key steps in beginning this process with your company.

    1. Meet with your companies AGMA dancer representatives or dancer leadership to fully explain this program so that they understand it and can be supportive.
    2. If you wish to participate in the research aspect of this project and you would like to be covered under the Boston Children’s Hospital IRB protocol, you must complete the few requirements for participation before obtaining informed consent.  See the section on research below for further information.
    3. All dancers should complete the medical history section of the screen BEFORE their scheduled assessment. They can either complete the paper form or log on directly to the Dancer Wellness Project.
    4. The most important aspect of this process is the comprehensive health history. It is possible for companies to only use this section.
    5. The physical assessment portion of the screen is designed to take no more than 30 minutes, INCLUDING the individual review and recommendations time.  However, the first several screenings may take longer as the medical professional become familiar with the form and format.
    6. READ the Guidelines, watch the instructional video, and practice the physical assessment with a colleague before your dancers arrive. 
    7. Larger companies have found that doing the screen in sections assists them in seeing 3-4 dancers per half hour. Smaller companies have found that the 1 on 1 model is more efficient. Either model can work well, as long as there are 5-10 minutes at the end for individual and private review of the health history, physical assessment findings and any necessary recommendations.

All of the above points are explained in further detail in the Guidelines.  Please contact the chair of the Screening Committee with questions.

Research Policies

It is the hope of the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health that you will also choose to participate in the research aspect and potential of this project.  If this is of interest to you and your institution, there are a few steps that MUST be completed before you perform the screening assessments on the dancers.  Individual companies continue to “own” and control their own data, but you do have option to store your “company’s” data in a protected and secure manner on the Dancer Wellness Project.

Download a one-page document that details the research policies. Please contact the chair of the Screening Committee for more information.