ATC’s and Impact: Not just Cognitive Recall

Often the world of athletic training, we hear the word “impact”.  There can often be a common misconception of what the true word of “impact” means.  Any athletic trainer will tell you that when they hear the word “impact”, they automatically think of ImPACT testing.  An ImPACT test was developed by clinical experts who pioneered the field of helping treat concussions.  ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most-widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system.  ImPACT provides trained clinicians with neurocognitive assessment tools and services that have been medically accepted as state-of-the-art best practices -- as part of determining safe return to play decisions. Though this is appealing and VERY important in decision making regarding athlete’s return to play protocol, I prefer to think of impact as something that we ensure as health care professionals…something that we choose to do.  Here is how we can make an ImPACT of our own in the profession of athletic training:

 Get involved!! – How often do we see those people just “sitting” on a job?  One thing comes to mind…supervisor.  Yes, we all know that CEO’s and big Whigs of major corporations are apparently making the “big bucks”.  But what is it that they really do? Sure, they might be a pencil pusher and big “high man on the totem pole” who calls the shots.  BUT, are they actually teaching you anything?  What is it that you are learning from your superior?  Are you learning anything at all?  If you commonly find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard sport regarding the “day in and day out” normal work grind of the run of the mill job, you are spinning your wheels.  I challenge you all to broaden your knowledge base of sports medicine and to get involved in an organization in some way or another. Reach out and join a committee, or volunteer to help others.  You’d be surprised how much this would make a difference. Even if you don’t learn anything new, there is always the chance you could educate someone else and become a teacher!

Vote!!-  Every couple of years, there is always the opportunity to elect new board members into new organizations.  Some of which you may have heard of: SWATA, NATA, GHATS, YPC…etc. The list is endless.  How are we able to broaden our base of knowledge and implement knowledge construction in place of knowledge reproduction if we don’t elect new leaders or teachers of our own?  Remember that old hag you had in grade school who was mean to everyone.  20 years later, you realize that she’s still around and now it’s not you dealing with her, only your children are.  Sound familiar?!  Need I say more?  I rest my case!

Stay abreast on current research!!-  Yes, yes, yes.  I know. Last thing that we all want to hear are the words “statistically significant” or “the null hypothesis showed that p is less than 0.5….” blah blah blah.  I myself hated statistics and am NOT a research person. But let me ask you this: The first time you ate some of grandma’s cookies that were dry and tasted like chocolate chip corn bread, did you ask for more?  No!!  You found a way to bake something better right?! Why? Because who wants to eat something that tastes atrocious?  I sure don’t. So, does it make sense to keep “spinning” our wheels? I think you can answer that one. 

There are new trends of research and medicine that are evolving every day.  As health care professionals, how are we to treat the hurt and wounded if we aren’t up to speed on current research and medicine? 

These are just a few of what I can think of off the top of my head.  The list goes on and on.  Like I said, athletic trainers are some of the most unnoticed and disregarded professionals in their line of work.  However, we are called on to help those in times of dire need and emergencies.  If we lose focus for just a second in this line of work, than we too start to spin our wheels. Only then do we make an impact on others, but in a negative way. 

Life of an ATC: Is It in You?

As many of us enter the working world as a young aspiring professional in our field, we tend to wonder what it would be like first rattle out of the cage.  We are afraid, excited, and yet somewhat apprehensive of it all.  Prior to entering the world of young professionals, our lives as young adults in college are spent in burning the late night oil trying to accomplish our one goal: graduating.  Afterwards, we seek out what we think would be the easiest thing-securing the job. But, we are still unsure of what to expect once we begin our career. I use to think that a day job would be easy. Though athletic trainers don’t really follow the typical 8am-5PM protocol of work, there is still a lot to say for what we do.  Here are a few reasons why I love being an athletic trainer:

1)  Every day is something new- In this line of work, you can expect the unexpected.  Whether it’s being on the sideline at a football game, sitting under a tent at a soccer match, or getting up close and personal on the basketball court, every day presents it’s own challenges.  I personally have witnessed a variety of injuries and issues that have been personally challenging for me.  At the end of the day, you have dealt with or seen an injury, a psychosocial issue with an athlete, dealt with a parent, or witnessed that big “W” from your favorite team. 

2) It keeps me young- It takes a special kind of person to do what we do. Being a former athlete myself, I couldn’t get enough play time.  Whether it was for myself, or for my father, there was never enough time for me to obtain all the play time that could satisfy me.  Sometimes I reflect back on what times where like when I was a kid- often wishing that I could go back in time and relive those glory days on the field.  I often watch kids catch the hail mary that allows them to score the winning touchdown in a game that separates the men from the boys. Seeing young student athletes achieve something that I would not consider a small feat, makes me feel like I’m a high school kid again.  Not to mention being around student athletic trainers who are half my age.  They alone keep me on my toes.

3) Personal satisfaction- I hate to admit it but there are those times when we all witness an athlete go down on the field. Whether it’s a sprained ankle, a subluxed shoulder, or a torn ACL, we are called on as a confidant and health care professional to use our skills and knowledge and utilize it to the fullest, so we can return that particular student athlete or “all star” back to full player’s status.  For me, there is nothing more rewarding then having a student athlete bounce back from such a horrific injury, only to score the highest percentage points in a district game.  Not to mention, there is always that  big “thank you” from the parent themselves J

4) You become a mentor-  Yes, yes, yes. I hate to admit it too, but I did have ill feelings towards school counselors and mentors when I was in school.  We used to think that all of those health and nutrition classes we took wouldn’t be necessary. Little did I know, I was wrong.  I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked about nutrition, health, or even weight training.  You will soon realize that after you develop a rapport with athletes, you will be the one that they come to in dire needs of advice. 

As you can see, there is a lot more to athletic training that just taping and give the typical “ice water” treatment.  Athletic trainers are what I always consider the step children of the athletic program.  Like musical composers, we are the ones who remain in the background and wait in the wings in case we there is a medical emergency.   We are underpaid and overworked but to me, there is nothing in the world like sitting in the dugout eating sunflower seeds and watching the game from an up close and personal view. In  my opinion, sometimes as the bench warmer, you not only get the best seat in the house, but also hold the most important position on the team.  

Annie's Advice

One group of young professionals that we like to give advice to are the recently graduated, and recently certified/licensed athletic trainers. We all remember our first year on the job, and the challenges we faced. I quickly learned that everything I learned in the classroom, was just a foundation for what was going to be thrown at me. Having a mentor with some tips to help along the way is a saving grace for many fresh athletic trainers. Below I have complied a list of “tips and tricks” to help the new athletic trainer get through the first few years in the profession.

-Get or Stay close to a mentor from the HS setting

-Know and learn your limitations

-Utilize fellow ATCs

-Be confident in your abilities

-Communicate with your team physician

-Evaluate the whole athlete, not just the suspected injury

-Don't be afraid to refer when necessary

-Work to educate your student athletes and others

-Be honest and straightforward with your athletes, parents, and coaches

-Don't be afraid to say NO

-Take time to have some fun

-Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. Take everything one-step at a time

-Listen to the Kids

-Get to know the janitors and secretaries

-Set up reasonable protocols

-Introduce yourself to the other team's ATC

-Don't be afraid to a risk

-Listen to those that have more experience than you, but also your students

-You're not going to get everything right 100% of the time. Failing is a part of it. 

-Try not to take work home with you

-Don't be afraid to ask for help

-Talk to the kids like they are adults

-Get to know your AD

http://www.nata.org/nata-news-blog/secondary-school-resources

Good luck on your career as an athletic trainer! Take it one day at a time, lean on others for advice and assistance, and most importantly, Have FUN! Welcome to the best profession out there.