Two traveling hospitals, 50 people, 1000 interventions. Claudio Costa's heir explains how it works...
The site Motoracing was able to interview the doctor Michael Zasa, responsible for the mobile clinic since the departure in 2014 of its founder, doctor Claudio costa.
Founded in 1972, this paddock institution has been taking care of everyone for decades, whether by treating minor injuries but also, and above all, by emergency intervention in serious cases before evacuation to a hospital.
Here's what we learned...
First of all, tell us how did you get into the mobile clinic? Was Dr. Claudio Costa's legacy difficult?
“My entry into Clinica Mobile really began with a passion for 4 wheels and for Ayrton Senna. In a sort of tribute to Senna, a great person and an extraordinary athlete even before being a champion, I started working at the Imola circuit as a track doctor. There, I met Dr. Costa, who asked me to collaborate with him. Since 2011, I started working in the paddock, then took over Claudio's legacy in 2014. Obviously, the succession of this legacy is not easy, especially considering what he created from 1972 to Today. From the beginning I tried to calmly bear the comparison, aware of the fact that times have changed and it would no longer be possible to do what he had done, but at the same time with the desire to keep alive in me and in the Mobile Clinic the values that have guided this reality until today. And with these values, evolve towards other objectives, always improving and growing as a group, professionally and humanly. »
How is Clinica Mobile structured?
“La Clinica Mobile is a company that can count on the collaboration of around fifty professionals (doctors, physiotherapists, radiologists, logisticians, administrative and communication specialists). »
In which championships are you directly present?
“We are present in the two motorcycle world championships: MotoGP and World Superbike. The operating methods in the 2 championships are similar. From a logistical point of view, in Europe we operate in two approved mobile structures which are moved from one round to another. Outside of Europe, we send containers equipped with all the equipment we need, and we are hosted by local medical centers in specially designated areas. »
How many pilots did you see in 2017?
“In 2017, we helped all the drivers of the 2 championships. Between physical therapy needs, medical issues and trauma/injuries, over the course of a season we see all the drivers. In particular, in MotoGP, we have statistics: in 2017, we carried out around 1000 medical services and 5900 physiotherapy services for riders (not counting activity statistics for paddock members, which is just as demanding, given that the paddock community is like a small itinerant village). »
Especially in the past year, we have witnessed “miraculous” healings. Do you believe that they were possible because of very strong scientific research, or that the “human factor”, which is the motivation to want to get back on the track as quickly as possible, remains the main reason?
“Scientific research, the desire to improve and learn new things as a doctor, is a characteristic that sets us apart and certainly partly explains these healings considered miraculous. In addition to this, there is also the experience acquired, and some small “secret treatments”, obviously always within the framework of legality, which we have learned to apply over the years, when faced with certain injuries. However, I believe that the fundamental element in the rapid recovery of some athletes in recent years has been will. It is the most effective drug, in my opinion, and it is no coincidence that science has shown that the placebo effect exists. In practical terms, a motivated pilot is more respectful of the prescriptions, more involved and more available during the convalescence phase, and more willing to tolerate pain (and often, they also have an increased pain threshold). »
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