1. Sports Medicine
Broad field of medical practices related to physical activity and sport
Involves a number of specialties involving active populations
Typically classified as relating to performance enhancement or injury care and management

2. Sports Medicine Human Performance Management Injury
Exercise Physiology
Practice of Medicine
Biomechanics
Sports Physical Therapy
Sport Psychology
Athletic Training
Sports Nutrition
Sports Massage

3. The Players on the Sports Medicine Team
Physicians
Dentist
Podiatrist
Nurse
Physicians Assistant
Physical Therapist
Athletic Trainer
Massage Therapist
Ophthalmologist
Dermatologist
Gynecologist
Exercise Physiologist
Biomechanist
Nutritionist
Sport Psychologist
Coaches
Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Social Worker
Neurologist
Osteopath
Psychiatrist

4. The Athletic Trainer
Charged with injury prevention and health care provision for the athlete
Athletic trainer deals with the athlete and injury from its inception until the athlete returns to full competition

5. Roles and Responsibilities: Performance Domains
Prevention of athletic injuries
Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
Immediate care of injuries
Treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries
Health care administration
Professional responsibilities

6. Athletic Training Education Competencies
Twelve Content Areas
Risk management
Pathology of injuries and illnesses
Assessment and evaluation
Acute care
Pharmacological aspects of injury and illness
Therapeutic modalities

7. Athletic Training Education Competencies
Therapeutic exercise
General medical conditions and disabilities
Nutritional aspects of injury and illnesses
Psychosocial intervention and referral
Organization and administration
Professional responsibilities

8. Personal Qualities of the Athletic Trainer
Stamina and the ability to adapt
Empathy
Sense of humor
Communication
Intellectual curiosity
Ethical practice

9. Employment Settings for the Athletic Trainer
Employment opportunities are becoming increasingly diverse
Dramatic transformation since 1950
Due largely in part to the efforts of the NATA
Started out primarily in the collegiate setting, progressed to high schools and are now found primarily in hospital and clinic settings

10. Settings include: Secondary schools Colleges and universities
Professional teams
Sports medicine clinics
Corporate/Industrial settings
Military
Physician extenders
Medical supply & equipment sales
Research
Administration

11. Accredited Athletic Training Education Programs
AT programs are accredited by CAATE (Commission of Accreditation for Athletic Training Education)
Masters’ Degree is required to sit for the national exam

12. Specialty Certifications
NATA is in the process of developing specialty certifications
Further enhance professional development
Aid in expanding scope of practice
Specialty certifications build on entry level knowledge

13. Seven proposed areas
Business practice, medical care management, occupational health, wellness, pediatric/adolescent health, adult/geriatric health, special health populations
Candidates will have to complete experiential requirements and pass a standardized examination

14. Requirements for Certification as an Athletic Trainer
Must have extensive background in formal academic preparation and supervised practical experience
Guidelines are set by the Board of Certification (BOC)
Graduation from an accredited AT Program is required (CAATE)

15. BOC certification is a prerequisite for licensure in most states
Upon meeting the educational guidelines applicants are eligible to sit for the examination
Upon passing the certification examination = BOC certification as an athletic trainer
Credential of ATC
BOC certification is a prerequisite for licensure in most states

16. Continuing Education Requirements
Ensure ongoing professional growth and involvement
Requirements that must be met to remain certified
50 CEU’s over the course of two years

17. Purpose:
To encourage ATC to obtain current professional development information
To explore new knowledge in specific areas
To master new athletic training related skill and techniques
To expand approaches to effective athletic training
To further develop professional judgement
To conduct professional practice in an ethical and appropriate manner

18. CEU’s are awarded for: Attending symposiums, workshops, seminars
Serving as a speaker or panelist
Certification exam model
Participating in the USOC program
Authoring a research article; authoring/editing a textbook
Completing post-graduate work
Obtaining CPR and first aid certification

19. State Regulation of the Athletic Trainer
Athletic trainers in many individual states organized efforts to secure recognition by seeking some type of regulation of the athletic trainer by state licensing agencies
To date 49 of the 50 states have enacted some type of regulatory statute governing the practice of athletic training
Rules and regulations governing the practice of athletic training vary tremendously from state to state

20. Types of Regulation Licensure
Limits practice of athletic training to those who have met minimal requirements established by a state licensing board
Limits the number of individuals who can perform functions related to athletic training as dictated by the practice act
Most restrictive of all forms of regulation

21. Certification Registration
Does not restrict using the title of athletic trainer to those certified by the state
Can restrict performance of athletic training functions to only those individuals who are certified
Registration
Before an individual can practice athletic training he or she must register in that state
Individual has paid a fee for being placed on an existing list of practitioners but says nothing about competency

22. Exemption
State recognizes that an athletic trainer performs similar functions to other licensed professions (e.g. physical therapy), yet still allows them to practice athletic training despite the fact that they do not comply with the practice acts of other regulated professions
Legislation regulating the practice of athletic training has been positive and to some extent protects the athletic trainer from litigation

23. Future Directions for the Athletic Trainer
Will be determined by the efforts of the NATA and its membership
Ongoing re-evaluation, revision and reform of athletic training education
JRC-AT will become an accrediting agency
Third party billing will gradually become the rule not the exception for ATC’s
Standardization of state practice acts
ATC’s will seek specialty certifications
Expanding breadth and scope of practice

24. Increase in secondary school employment of ATC’s
Increase in recognition of ATC as a physician extender
Potential for expansion in the military, industry, and fitness/wellness settings
With general population aging = increased opportunity to work with aging physically active individuals
Continue to enhance visibility through research and scholarly publication

25. Continue to be available for local and community meetings to discuss healthcare of the athlete
Increase recognition and presence internationally
Most importantly, continue to focus efforts on injury prevention and to provided high quality healthcare to physically active individuals who are injured while participating in sport

26. Athletic Trainer and the Athlete
Major concern on the part of the ATC should be the athlete
All decisions impact the athlete
The injured athlete must always be informed
Be made aware of the how, when and why that dictates the course of injury rehabilitation

27. The athlete must be educated about injury prevention and management
Instructions should be provided regarding training and conditioning
Inform the athlete to listen to his/her body in order to prevent injuries

28. Athletic Trainer and Parents
ATC must keep parents informed, particularly in the secondary school setting
Injury management and prevention
The parents decision regarding healthcare must be a primary consideration
Insurance plans may dictate care
Selection of physician

29. Louisiana ATs Must be aware of La. Laws and regulations:
AT Law
Act 314 (concussion law)
Serious Injury Rule
Must pass the BOC in 3 or less attempts
Must be licensed to practice by the LSBME (La. State Board of Medical Examiners) and can apply for temporary exemption

30. Responsibilities of the Team Physician
Athletic trainer works under direct supervision of physician
Physician assumes a number of roles
Serves to advise and supervise ATC
Physician and ATC must be able to work together
Have similar philosophical opinions regarding injury management
Helps to minimize discrepancies and inconsistencies

31. Roles and Responsibilities
Compiling medical histories and conducting physical exams
Pre-participation screening
Diagnosing injury
Deciding on disqualifications
Decisions regarding athlete’s ability to participate based on medical knowledge and psychophysiological demands of sport

32. Responsibilities of the Coach
Must understand specific role of all individuals involved with the team
Coach must clearly understand the limits of their ability to function as a healthcare provider in their respective state
Directly responsible for injury prevention
Athlete must go through appropriate conditioning program

33. Coach must be aware of risks associated with sport
Provide appropriate training and equipment
Must have knowledge of CPR and first aid
Must have thorough knowledge of skills, techniques and environmental factors associated with sport
Develop good working relationships with staff, including athletic trainers
Must be a cooperative relationship

34. ATC, physician and coaches must be aware and inform parents of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Regulates dissemination of health information
Protects patient’s privacy and limits the people who could gain access to medical records

35. Referring the Athlete to Other Personnel
ATC must be aware of available medical and non-medical personnel
Athlete may require special treatment outside of the “traditional” sports medicine team
Must be aware of community based services and various insurance plans
Typically the ATC and team physician will consult on the particular matter and refer accordingly