My Athletic Training Philosophy
Athletic training is a profession where the Athletic Trainer has the ability to prevent, recognize, treat and rehabilitate athletes back from an injury. Athletes are number one in the eyes of the athletic trainer. Athletic trainers number one goal is the safety of the athlete and not the outcome of the game. Athletic trainers act as the voice of the athlete. Athletes sometimes do not realize the severity of their injury and feel as though they are okay to return back into play. Athletic Trainers need to be able to use their voice and not be afraid of pulling the athlete out of the game. They have to be able to make the tough call. Athletes need someone who will fight for them.
Athletic Trainers need to be able to convey the information not only to the athlete, but to the coaches as well. Coaches need to understand that when an athlete is out, that it means they will not be returning until they are cleared from the team physician. The team physician is one of many who are part of the sports medicine staff and it is important that the Athletic Trainer is able to work together with the sports medicine staff in order to help the athlete return to play. It is beneficial to the healing process of the athlete if the Athletic Trainer is open to the different professionals who are part of the sports medicine staff.
Athletic Trainers are responsible for coordinating with the Emergency Action Team to create an Emergency Action Plan, in the event that an athlete is seriously injured and needs to be transported to the hospital. The emergency action plan should be updated on a year to year basis and the Emergency Action Team should also practice the plan once a year, or if an aspect of the emergency action plan changes, in order to become familiar with the process. As you can see the Athletic Trainer has to have to ability to coordinate tasks, with various amounts of professionals, in order to get the job done, keeping in mind that their number one priority is the care of the athlete.
Athletes and Athletic Trainers have spent a lot of time together over the years. This is why it is important that the Athletic Trainers gain the trust of the athlete. The athlete needs to be able to come to the Athletic Trainer for help. If the athlete does not trust the Athletic Trainer, then they are not going to listen to what the Athletic Trainer has to say. It is also important for the Athletic Trainer to gain the respect of the athlete. Athletic Trainers can gain the athletes respect by respecting the athletes privacy, performing their job well and being able to back up what they are doing by being knowledgeable and sharing their knowledge with the athlete. This is why it is very important for Athletic Trainers to continue their education and love sharing what they have learned with others. When the athlete and the Athletic Trainer are able to work as a team, the quickest and safest results are possible, benefiting not only the team, but the athlete as well.
Continuing Education is a must in health care. It is important for the Athletic Trainer to stay up to date on new developments within the profession. Change is a constant event in health care. Not only the use of a modality can change, but there can be new techniques developed along with new treatment plans. The Athletic Trainer should remain dedicated to learning within their profession, so that they are able to treat and rehabilitate the athlete back to play as quickly and safely as possible. Safety is important and is a huge reason as to why Athletic Trainers should refer to peer-reviewed articles. Articles can cover almost any and every new development in the athletic training profession. However if the article is peer-reviewed then the Athletic Trainer can gain the confidence that the new treatment and/or technique is contributing to creating the optimal healing environment for the athlete.
Since starting in the profession about a year and a half ago, I have realized that most Athletic Trainers are taken advantage of. Working a lot of hours and not getting paid for the time and dedication that the Athletic Trainer has to the team. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe that Athletic trainers do need to have dedication to the profession, however I do believe change is needed. I believe that Athletic Trainers should unionize, or that the NATA needs to step up and voice the opinions of Athletic Trainers. We as Athletic Trainers are the voice of the athlete, but who is our voice? I do believe that with all the new laws that require an Athletic Trainer to be present at all sporting events, that our profession has become a necessity. More jobs opportunities have opened up, but even so, Athletic Trainers are still being overworked and underpaid. Athletic Trainers now have the ability to use their necessity to gain better work hours and better pay, but I believe someone needs to step up and do something about it.
For these reasons, I believe that there is a much greater drive instilled in Athletic Trainers, other then the “love of the game,” and why I believe that Athletic Trainers are truly dedicated to helping the athlete.
