Creating a Framework for Evaluation and Sport Policy within Medical and Health Legacies in the Paralympic Movement

Abstract

This article explores the creation of a framework designed for nations participating in the Paralympic Games to develop and construct long-term sustainable medical and health legacies in a national context. In order to develop a feasible way to evaluate the nature of both legacies, a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches were utilized in both introductory and leveraging steps. The Introductory Step introduced “medical legacy,” which was defined as “medical care for Paralympians” and “health legacy” as “public health.” Thematic analysis from thirty-five interviewees suggested that expected and tangible and/or intangible legacies resulted in intermediate and final outcomes that were positive and planned. Ultimately, the framework will hopefully help us to understand how medical care provided to athletes with disability can impact long-term public health care.