Medical practitioners’ major multi-sport event volunteering experiences

Medical volunteers are essential to the success of major multi-sport events (MMSE), yet their experience has not been thoroughly examined. Framed by social exchange theory (SET), this study addresses this gap by examining the perceived benefits and costs of medical volunteers’ MMSE engagement. An online anonymous survey was completed by 78 Canadian medical practitioners who had volunteered at a MMSE in the previous six years. Professional identification and networking yet personal inconveniences to family, work, or vacation time were experienced to the greatest extent by the medical volunteers. Professional development and networking were significant positive predictors of the medical volunteers’ future volunteering intentions, yet their medical work at the event was a deterrent to engaging with another MMSE. The medical volunteers’ high reported likelihood of volunteering again likely involves balancing these experiences. The findings highlight several considerations for the effective event management of this critical cohort of volunteers.