How did the Rotterdam Marathon Study Group started?
For decades, at the various Golazo Sports events, there has been an expert medical team that provides care for the runners. This medical committee consisted of a group of volunteer healthcare professionals. In recent years, the care of the runners has become increasingly professionalized and the need for treatment protocols for the care of these runners became apparent. The years of experience and the scientific knowledge surrounding acute care have been bundled into two treatment protocols regarding medical and physiotherapeutic acute care during running events. The aim of this is to strive for a line in the reception and treatment of the runners so that all runners in the different posts at the different events receive the same treatment for the same problems.
Meanwhile, the medical committee has become a pioneer in preparing and implementing medical care at various running events and with that, the group also took on a more advisory role. To secure and increase quality and knowledge, the need also arose to conduct and facilitate scientific research. In 2019, therefore, the more comprehensive name, Rotterdam Marathon Study Group, emerged. A new name that better encompasses all the new competencies and activities of the group.
Erasmus MC and TU Delft are renowned partners. The RMSG is led by crisis coordinator Steven Hofdom and also includes medical specialists, emergency doctors, internist-acute medicine, general practitioner and ambulance nurses, and physiotherapists. In cooperation with chain partners such as the GHOR (Regional Medical Emergency Organization), the Red Cross, hospitals, and the OVD-Gs (Medical Officer on Duty), the RMSG ensures the proper organization of the reception and removal of stragglers to create an efficient and effective medical assistance chain.