Athletic training Chapter 2

What is an Athletic Trainer? Highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic health care for the physically active Prevention & care of athletes, physically active History: Greek and Roman civilizations Established in late 19th century in the United States (intercollegiate athletics) Lacked professional training/knowledge

Why “athletic trainer”? There has been much controversy over the title

Growth of the Profession Evolution of the Athletic Trainer: 1st appearance in intercollegiate athletics after WWI 1st text, The Trainer’s Bible, in 1917 Written by S.E. Bilik Support from the Cramer family The NATA Formed between 1947-1950 by university athletic trainers 1st Meeting in 1950 w/101 attendees in Kansas City, MO Membership: from 100 to 30,000+ today (32,280 as of 8/07) Employment Growth Education Reform

Recognition and Accreditation as an Allied Health Professional June 1991 – AMA officially recognized athletic training as an allied health profession Primary purpose was for accrediting educational programs June 1994 – CAHEA dissolved and replaced by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Now CAATE- Commission on accreditation of Athletic Training Education

Certification Requirements Candidates for certification must meet NATA-BOC established requirements: Graduation from an accredited program (CAATE) Pass the BOC examination Meet CEU requirements Successful completion of the certification exam will earn the credential of ATC Certified Athletic Trainer Must complete 50 CEUs every 2 years Continuing education, new research & techniques

Accredited programs 341 undergraduate programs 4-year programs Graduate with BA or BS degree Eligible to sit for BOC exam Closest is Cal State Fullerton 26 entry-level master’s programs 2-year programs Must already have BA or BS degree Graduate with MS degree Closest is California Baptist University Post-professional degree Master’s and Doctoral degrees

NATA Board of Certification (NATA-BOC) Role Delineation Study (1999) Redefined the profession of athletic training Primary tasks of entry-level ATC’s Knowledge and skills required to perform each task Roles could be divided into six major areas or performance domains Now five major areas

Roles and Responsibilities of the Athletic trainer Performance Domains Injury/illness Prevention and Wellness Protection Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis Immediate and Emergency Care Treatment and Rehabilitation Organizational and Professional Health and Well-being What ATs do Education Council Competencies & Clinical Proficiencies Risk management Pathology of injuries & illnesses Orthopedic assessment/eval. Acute care Pharmacology Therapeutic modalities Therapeutic exercise General medical conditions Nutrition Psychosocial Intervention Health Care Administration Professional Development What ATs learn

Performance Domain: injury/illness prevention and wellness protection Develop training & conditioning programs Ensure a safe playing environment Select, fit, & maintain protective equipment Explain the importance of nutrition Use medications appropriately

Performance Domain: Clinical Evaluation & Diagnosis Conduct physical examinations Understand the pathology of injury and illness Referring to medical care Referring to support services

Performance Domain: Immediate and emergency care Initial on-field evaluation Administer appropriate First Aid Care Establish emergency care procedures ahead of time EAP

Performance Domain: Treatment & Rehabilitation Designing rehab programs Supervising rehab programs Incorporating therapeutic modalities Offering psychosocial intervention

Performance Domain: organization and professional health and well-being Organization/Administration Record keeping Order equipment & supplies Supervise personnel Establish policies & procedures Professional Responsibilities Continuing education Promote the profession Research Professional health Physical, emotional, spiritual health Stress management

Employment Settings Secondary Schools College or Universities Professional Teams Sports Medicine Clinics Corporate/Industrial Settings The Military Physician Extender Treating the Physically Active Adolescent athlete Aging athlete

Personal Qualities of an Athletic trainer Stamina & ability to adapt Burnout Empathy Sense of humor Communication Intellectual Curiosity Ethical Practice Professional Memberships Ability to relate to athletes Ability to deal with parents

Certified Athletic Trainer vs. Personal Trainer Meets the qualifications set by state licensure and the Board of Certification, Inc. and practices athletic training under the direction of a physician. Personal Trainer Prescribes, monitors and changes an individual’s specific exercise program in a fitness or sports setting.

Certified Athletic Trainer vs. Personal Trainer Provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services Prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries (acute and chronic) Coordinate care with physicians and other allied health professionals Work in schools, colleges, professional sports, clinics, hospitals, corporations, industry, military, performing arts Personal Trainer Assess fitness needs and design appropriate exercise regimens Work with clients to achieve fitness goals Help educate the public about the importance of physical activity Work in health clubs, wellness centers and various other locations where fitness activities take place

State Regulation Licensure Certification Must meet minimal standards of state licensing board; state limits individuals who can perform AT functions through practice acts Most restrictive form of regulation and varies from state to state Usually gain licensure by passing BOC exam or state licensing exam & paying fee Certification Does not protect term “athletic trainer”; can restrict performance of AT functions to those certified by the state Many of these states recognize BOC exam in gaining state certification

State Regulation Registration Exemption Pay state registration fee; state may not assess qualifications; protects term “athletic trainer” from being used Exemption State recognition allowing for performance of functions similar to those of other licensed professionals. Usually not enough practitioners to warrant formation of a state regulatory board

State Regulation

Future Directions for Athletic training On-going evaluation and reform of ATEPs Third-party reimbursement (Medicare/Medicaid) State regulation Licensure in CA Increase/improve secondary school employment Further expansion of profession in other employment settings Emerging practices Research Global professional growth

Future Employment for athletic trainers 2006: 17,000 2016: 22,000 Growth: Much faster than average, except with professional sports teams Largest Employment Settings College/universities, amusement/recreation industries, general medical and surgical hospitals, elementary and secondary schools Salary (includes wage earners) Median for May 2006 was $36,200 Middle 50% earned between $28,920 and $45,600 Highest 10%: More than $57,580 Lowest 10%: Less than $21,940

Internet Research: NATA website BOC website CAATE website www.nata.org 25 facts, names, job openings, or interesting topics BOC website www.bocatc.org 10 facts about the exam process CAATE website www.caate.net List of 10 accredited programs homework Due Fri 8/24 @ beginning of class. 10 points