Hazing practices are so hazardous and increasingly prevalent
that emergency physicians are now obliged to educate
themselves about these activities so victims may be treated
with adequate medical and psychiatric care. Emergency
physicians need to be aware of the severity and range of
traumatic injuries to have a low threshold for suspected
harm. Hazing prevention through legislation, university pol-
232 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE ■ Volume 20, Number 3 ■ May 2002
icies, grass roots organizations, and individual community
activity may be effective in lessening the traumatic injuries
presenting to emergency departments.