Communication: The Key Component in Athletic Training by Mark Stephens

What is the one word that we think of when we hear the word communicate?  Talk. Well, sometimes it may not be so simple.  You often have trouble finding the right words.  Talk to whom exactly?! Talk to your friends, your parents…your colleagues?  And, tell them what?!  It’s hard enough to talk to those who are close to us like our family and friends but what do we do when we have a superior?   We must be open and honest.  Regardless if what we have to say is good or bad, more of than not the truth overrides falsehoods. 

Do you ever remember your parent’s tell you “As long as you tell us the truth, you won’t get in trouble”.  I know what you’re thinking. “Uh huh, sure”. Well in this case it’s the truth.   As health care professionals in the career of athletic training, communication is the key component to establishing a successful and effective working relationship with your superior.  If you think about it, what is the one thing that we are asked as by the coach and athletic staff when we witness an injury?  “Is he /she okay”? or “how bad is it”…” do you know when they will be back to full status”.    When this happens, we get a little nervous and become apprehensive on what to say.  It’s during this time when I remember that as long as I speak the truth, I will not get into trouble.  I’m sure we can all agree that we if we are honest and up front with our coaches and athletic staff about an injured athlete, we do them a service.  Often at times we think we may hurt the coaches feelings and make them upset by not telling them what they want to hear. However, I defy anyone to tell me otherwise.