ATs often get mistaken for personal trainers or strength coaches, having their title abbreviated to "trainer" or getting called "coach." While most of the time this isn't done will ill intent, it adds to the confusion of the profession. Athletic trainers differ from personal trainers, strength coaches and other medical professions. Athletic Trainers (ATs), are health care professionals who work under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician following their training and their state's statues, rules and regulations. Athletic Training began as an education based major through a physical education and in the last 60 or so years, it has expanded way beyond that, becoming recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession. Athletic trainers must now graduate from an accredited master's program, and 70% of current athletic trainers already have a masters. Athletic trainers are licensed or otherwise regulated in 49 states and the district of Columbia, with constant efforts to add regulation in California (currently the only state without regulation.) Athletic training encompasses 5 major domains: (1) Injury and Illness Prevention, (2) Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, (3) Immediate and Emergent Care, (4) Treatment and Rehabilitation, (5) Organization and Professional Health and Well-Being. Because of these regulated and extensive training and educational requirements, ATs are able to use their skills and knowledge to reduce injury and shorten rehabilitation time for their patients, which in turn lowers time loss from injuries and reduces health care costs. Some examples of emergency injuries that ATs are trained for include: Concussion, heat stroke, asthma attack, sickle cell crisis, diabetic emergencies, spine injuries, sudden cardiac arrest.
The fight to incorporate athletic trainers in various settings is on going. The "athletic" in athletic trainer sometimes leads to the misconception that ATs only assist athletic populations, however that is far from the case. Athletic trainers are commonly seen in secondary school, collage and athletic sport settings but they can also be found working in industrial and business settings as well as emerging settings such as military and performing arts populations. Many athletic trainers become hired to work in PT clinics and as physician extenders in orthopedic clinics. Essentially, if there is a possibility to get injured, athletic trainers can be found helping out. Each setting has its own pros and cons when it comes to role responsibilities, which leaves plenty of variety allowing for individuals with various interests and personalities to fit in. For example, Athletic trainers in the military setting can expect early mornings, while those in the secondary school setting can expect late nights. Someone who enjoys sleeping in, or getting tasks done in the morning would fit well in the secondary school, while "early birds" may enjoy the military setting better. This is a very superficial example, but it goes to show how much variety the profession provides.
Overall, athletic trainers can be of big benefit to the populations they serve and have worked hard to adapt their profession to better align with their allied health care partners. Most personalities could find settings which they mesh well with, and I encourage anyone who finds enjoyment in helping others to consider athletic training.
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