A Short Soap-Box from a Short Athletic Trainer

I recently left the "traditional" setting of athletic training and took a job as a physician extender in an orthopedics office. I love it so far! I'm learning something new every single day. I have great patients and see something new every 15 minutes. My day is so wonderfully busy and I am so fulfilled by my new job.

I have integrated a pre-op appointment in our office. Its all about patient education and putting the patient's mind at ease. I issue cryotherapy, teach TENS application for post-operative pain, crutch fitting and gait training, and fit for braces. My athletic training education prepared me greatly for all of this.

I am able to listen to patients and identify their complaints. I assess their injuries and then summarize their complaints to the physician for a better focused encounter. My athletic training education prepared me greatly for this.

My first attempt at casting a thumb fracture got glowing reviews from my Doc. He asked "Where did you learn how to do that? That's a really great job." It was simple: my athletic training experience prepared me greatly for that, too.

At the first of the year, I will also be serving as a first assist in the operating room for my doctor. In order for me to do this, I had to pass the National Board of Certified Orthopedic Physician Assistant Exam. I studied hard. I read all of my athletic training texts cover to cover. My physician offered a few of his texts to me for additional study materials; I already owned all but one of those from, that's right, my athletic training education. By my good graces and hard work, I passed that test.

That OPA-C credential is now opening so many doors for me in regards to my orthopedic practice, but it was my athletic training education that made it possible. Why is my ATC not recognized in the same capacity?

My point is, we must continue to be involved in legislation to allow athletic trainers to serve in this capacity. We are all health care providers and we are prepared through our education to be excellent health care providers. Even if you are in a "traditional" setting, being the voice of our profession is imperative. I know of a few collegiate settings that are beginning to use the health care model and bill for services. There is absolutely no reason that these athletic trainers not be seen as health care providers that are skilled and worthy of doing so.