2 answers
Paw
Student
Arden Hills, MN
1
Question
Updated
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What are some of the biggest challenges athletic trainers face daily or on occasion?
I am currently a fourth-year student majoring in Biokinetics: Exercise Science and hoping to attend grad school for Athletic Training. #Fall2022
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2 answers
Lauren Durante, MBA, MS, ATC, CEASIII
Athletic Trainer
1
Answer
Oregon, Wisconsin
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi, I agree with Joseph. It does depend on the setting you are working. I spent the majority of my time in clinical and occupational settings.
In the clinic, establishing autonomy was the biggest challenge. I had to prove that I was much more than a tech, and over time I did, but it took quite some time to perform my own evaluation and manage my own caseload of patients. However, this may be changing now with ATCs having their NPI and insurance companies better recognizing our services as a trainer Allied Health Professional.
ATCs have significantly more autonomy in the occupational setting, but we are limited with treatment options based on resources and the need to follow OSHA guidelines for work-related injuries. However, this setting allows for more expansion of our professional skills, such as ergonomic training and injury prevention coaching. It also transitions into many more operations management, such as client relationship management, marketing, and public speaking.
I hope this helps. I recommend shadowing as many different settings as possible to get an idea of which one may be the best fit for you.
In the clinic, establishing autonomy was the biggest challenge. I had to prove that I was much more than a tech, and over time I did, but it took quite some time to perform my own evaluation and manage my own caseload of patients. However, this may be changing now with ATCs having their NPI and insurance companies better recognizing our services as a trainer Allied Health Professional.
ATCs have significantly more autonomy in the occupational setting, but we are limited with treatment options based on resources and the need to follow OSHA guidelines for work-related injuries. However, this setting allows for more expansion of our professional skills, such as ergonomic training and injury prevention coaching. It also transitions into many more operations management, such as client relationship management, marketing, and public speaking.
I hope this helps. I recommend shadowing as many different settings as possible to get an idea of which one may be the best fit for you.
I appreciate your answer! I've interned in a collegiate setting and just like you mentioned above I think I should shadow other settings to explore which location is the best fit for me. Once again, thank you for your insight!
Paw
Joseph Gebke, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
10
Answers
Uniondale, New York
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
It depends on the setting. Each setting carries it's uniques challenges. I work for a PT company and am in a high school setting. I think the biggest challenge is getting people to understand what we do and what we are capable of. Unfortunately, a lot of people in sports medicine just use Athletic Training (AT) as a stepping stone to move on to something else without really doing anything for the field.
Another challenge is getting parents to do as I recommend. Now the parents have full autonomy about where they want to bring their children, but it would save time and steps if they would just listen to our advice. For example, I reach out to doctors to get athletes in to be seen quickly. Hopefully within a day or two. I have had multiple parents say that they want to take their child to a doctor they know, but then they end up waiting 1-2 weeks to be seen. That's a lot of wasted time for the athlete. Then by that point the athlete is feeling better because they haven't doing anything, but both them and the parent expects the athlete to just jump right back in. That's the rarely the case.
Another challenge for some is budget. Sometimes we get a very small budget and it doesn't cover everything we need. I struggle with that at my current location. The last 2 were pretty good about budget. I didn't have to worry about running out of important things like white tape and bandaids.
I'm sure others can attest to other challenges, but these are the ones I notice regularly.
Another challenge is getting parents to do as I recommend. Now the parents have full autonomy about where they want to bring their children, but it would save time and steps if they would just listen to our advice. For example, I reach out to doctors to get athletes in to be seen quickly. Hopefully within a day or two. I have had multiple parents say that they want to take their child to a doctor they know, but then they end up waiting 1-2 weeks to be seen. That's a lot of wasted time for the athlete. Then by that point the athlete is feeling better because they haven't doing anything, but both them and the parent expects the athlete to just jump right back in. That's the rarely the case.
Another challenge for some is budget. Sometimes we get a very small budget and it doesn't cover everything we need. I struggle with that at my current location. The last 2 were pretty good about budget. I didn't have to worry about running out of important things like white tape and bandaids.
I'm sure others can attest to other challenges, but these are the ones I notice regularly.
Thank you so much! I highly appreciate your informative and helpful answer! It's a bit discouraging to learn that ATs' jobs are physically demanding, but they aren't compensated enough especially when the program is now moved to a master's degree. I learned that ATs are undervalued and underpaid compared to other medical professions.
Paw