This is the ninth episode of our special podcast series exploring the Sept/Oct themed issue of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal on professionalization and advocacy. In this episode, we’ll discuss the  topic of risk management, with Dr. JoAnn Eickhoff-Shemek, the lead author for the article in the themed issue entitled "Essential Risk Management Competencies for Exercise Professionals."

Discover how to elevate your career as an exercise professional by mastering critical risk management skills in our latest episode of the Wellness Paradox podcast. I'm thrilled to sit down with Dr. Eickhoff-Shemek, a veteran with five decades of experience, who shares invaluable insights from her co-authored article on the subject. We uncover the necessity of understanding federal and state laws, adhering to HIPAA standards, and recognizing the boundaries of your professional scope. As the fitness industry increasingly intersects with healthcare, these competencies are more important than ever for maintaining credibility and professionalism.

This episode breaks down the often-unseen complexities, from HIPAA compliance to the Federal Trade Commission Act. We dive into the crucial aspects of confidentiality policies, data privacy, and the potential legal consequences of stepping outside your professional boundaries. JoAnn emphasizes the importance of a solid legal education for fitness managers and staff to mitigate liability risks and ensure the responsible handling of sensitive information.

Show Notes Page: https://wellnessparadoxpod.com/episodeacsm9

Our Guest: Dr. JoAnn Eickhoff-Shemek, Ph.D., FACSM, FAWHP

JoAnn M. Eickhoff-Shemek, Professor Emeritus of Exercise Science at the University of South Florida and President of the Fitness Law Academy, is an internationally known author and speaker. For more than 35 years, her teaching and research have focused on fitness safety, legal liability, and risk management issues. Dr. Eickhoff-Shemek is the lead author of a ground-breaking textbook, Law for Fitness Managers and Exercise Professionals, and co-author of another textbook, Rule the Rules of Workplace Wellness Programs, published in 2020 and 2021, respectively. She was invited to be a contributing author for a resource widely used in Australia -- The Australian Fitness Industry Risk Management Manual published in 2014.

Dr. Eickhoff-Shemek has authored several book chapters and authored or co-authored over 100 articles in refereed journals. She served as the Legal Columnist for ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal for 10 years (2001-2010) and currently serves as the Fitness Safety columnist for the same journal. Dr. Eickhoff-Shemek is the lead author of a new textbook –Legal Toolkit for Health & Wellness Coaching – to be published in late 2024.  

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