Physicians, Physical Therapists, and Athletic Trainers: Teammates in Health Care for the Injured Athlete

1989 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-48
Author(s):  
James A. Gould
1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph J. Godek

The key players in sports health care in the '90s will be physicians, athletic trainers, and physical therapists. The social and economic forces affecting our health care delivery system today must be considered by these professions as they assume their roles in sports health care. Athletic trainers are qualified to treat athletes in any setting but are best used in the traditional environment. Physical therapists should reemphasize the rehabilitation of the sick, infirm, and disabled and should take the lead in providing care for disabled athletes. Physicians must be the leaders in sports health care. They are best prepared to arbitrate the ongoing conflict between athletic trainers and physical therapists and to decide which of these professionals can treat recreational athletes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-114
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Manspeaker ◽  
Dorice A. Hankemeier

Context Health care systems are increasing their emphasis on interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) as a necessary component to patient care. However, information regarding the challenges athletic trainers (ATs) perceive with respect to participating in IPCP is lacking. Objective To describe collegiate ATs' perceptions of challenges to and resources for participation in IPCP. Design Qualitative study. Setting College and university. Patients or Other Participants The response rate was 8% (513 ATs [234 men, 278 women, 1 preferred not to disclose sex], years in clinical practice = 10.69 ± 9.33). Data Collection and Analysis Responses to survey-based, open-ended questions were collected through Qualtrics. A general inductive qualitative approach was used to analyze data and establish relevant themes and categories for responses. Multianalyst coding and an external auditor confirmed coding saturation and assisted in triangulation. Results Challenges were reported in the areas of needing a defined IPCP team structure, respect for all involved health care parties, and concerns when continuity of care was compromised. Communication was reported as both a perceived challenge and a resource. Specific resources seen as beneficial to effective participation in IPCP included communication mechanisms such as shared patient health records and educational opportunities with individuals from other health care professions. Conclusions As ATs become more integrated into IPCP, they need to accurately describe and advocate their roles, understand the roles of others, and be open to the dynamic needs of team-based care. Development of continuing interprofessional education opportunities for all relevant members of the health care team can help to delineate roles more effectively and provide more streamlined care with the goal of improving patient outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor A Lentz ◽  
Adam P Goode ◽  
Charles A Thigpen ◽  
Steven Z George

Abstract Early physical therapy models hold great promise for delivering high-value care for individuals with musculoskeletal pain. However, existing physical therapist practice and research standards are misaligned with value-based principles, which limits the potential for growth and sustainability of these models. This Perspective describes how the value proposition of early physical therapy can be improved by redefining harm, embracing a prognostic approach to clinical decision making, and advocating for system-wide guideline-adherent pain care. It also outlines the need to adopt a common language to describe these models and embrace new, rigorous study designs and analytical approaches to better understand where and how early physical therapy delivers value. The goal is to define a clear path forward to ensure physical therapists are aligned within health care systems to deliver on the American Physical Therapy Association’s vision of high-value care in a rapidly changing health care environment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
Renae Ellen Bomar ◽  
Thalia Mulvihill

Context: Clinical experiences give the student athletic trainer the opportunity to relate and apply didactic information to a real-world setting. During these experiences student athletic trainers are supervised by certified, licensed health care providers working in a variety of settings (eg, hospital, physical therapy clinic, doctor's office). It is important to note the responsibilities these health care professionals (preceptors) take on when choosing to become a preceptor. Not only are they completing their normal, job-related tasks of patient care and administrative duties, but they are also responsible for the education and evaluation of student athletic trainers. Objective: This case study takes an in-depth look at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II athletic training program's (ATP) preceptor training model and provides an example of how 1 program is developing its preceptors under the new Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) policies. It is meant to lay the foundation for further research in preceptor development by providing a description of training and development practices. This case study can be used as a guide to other ATPs and compared to other institutions to identify the best practices for preceptor development. Because the policies are new and little research has been done on preceptor development, this is the first step in creating effective evidence-based practices. Design: Ethnographic case study. Setting: One-on-one, in-person, semistructured interviews were conducted, audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. A review of relevant (eg, training manuals) preceptor training documents was completed. Member checks were done as necessary for accuracy. Participants: One male, veteran off-campus preceptor, 1 female, novice on-campus preceptor, and the ATP clinical education coordinator participated. Participants were part of an NCAA Division II ATP located in Indiana. Results and Conclusions: The findings suggested that this program's preceptor training used various pedagogical designs and provided strong support to those involved.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 703-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorice Hankemeier ◽  
Sarah A. Manspeaker

Context:  The ability to engage in interprofessional and collaborative practice (IPCP) has been identified as one of the Institute of Medicine's core competencies required of all health care professionals. Objective:  To determine the perceptions of athletic trainers (ATs) in the collegiate setting regarding IPCP and current practice patterns. Design:  Cross-sectional study. Patients or Other Participants:  Of 6313 ATs in the collegiate setting, 739 (340 men, 397 women, 2 preferred not to answer; clinical experience = 10.97 ± 9.62 years) responded (11.7%). Main Outcome Measure(s):  The Online Clinician Perspectives of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice survey section 1 assessed ATs' perceptions of working with other professionals (construct 1), ATs engaged in collaborative practice (construct 2), influences of collaborative practice (construct 3), and influences on roles, responsibilities, and autonomy in collaborative practice (construct 4). Section 2 assessed current practice patterns of ATs providing patient care and included the effect of communication on collaborative practice (construct 5) and patient involvement in collaborative practice (construct 6). Between-groups differences were assessed using a Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U tests (P < .05). Results:  Athletic trainers in the collegiate setting agreed with IPCP constructs 1 through 4 (construct 1 = 3.56 ± 0.30, construct 2 = 3.36 ± 0.467, construct 3 = 3.48 ± 0.39, construct 4 = 3.20 ± 0.35) and indicated that the concepts of constructs 5 and 6 (1.99 ± 0.46, 1.80 ± 0.50, respectively) were sometimes true in their setting. Athletic trainers functioning in a medical model reported lower scores for construct 5 (1.88 ± 0.44) than did those in an athletic model (2.03 ± 0.45, U = 19 522.0, P = .001). A total of 42.09% of the ATs' patient care was performed in collaborative practice. Conclusions:  Athletic trainers in the collegiate setting agreed that IPCP concepts were beneficial to patient care but were not consistently practicing in this manner. Consideration of a medical model structure, wherein more regular interaction with other health care professionals occurs, may be beneficial to increase the frequency of IPCP.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 573-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Baugh ◽  
Emily Kroshus ◽  
Bailey L. Lanser ◽  
Tory R. Lindley ◽  
William P. Meehan

Context The ratio of clinicians to patients has been associated with health outcomes in many medical contexts but has not been explored in collegiate sports medicine. The relationship between administrative and financial oversight models and staffing is also unknown. Objective To (1) evaluate staffing patterns in National Collegiate Athletic Association sports medicine programs and (2) investigate whether staffing was associated with the division of competition, Power 5 conference status, administrative reporting structure (medical or athletic department), or financial structure (medical or athletic department). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Collegiate sports medicine programs. Patients or Other Participants Representatives of 325 universities. Main Outcome Measure(s) A telephone survey was conducted during June and July 2015. Participants were asked questions regarding the presence and full-time equivalence of the health care providers on their sports medicine staff. The number of athletes per athletic trainer was determined. Results Responding sports medicine programs had 0.5 to 20 full-time equivalent staff athletic trainers (median = 4). Staff athletic trainers at participating schools cared for 21 to 525 athletes per clinician (median = 100). Both administrative and financial oversight from a medical department versus the athletics department was associated with improved staffing across multiple metrics. Staffing levels were associated with the division of competition; athletic trainers at Division I schools cared for fewer athletes than athletic trainers at Division II or III schools, on average. The support of graduate assistant and certified intern athletic trainers varied across the sample as did the contributions of nonphysician, nonathletic trainer health care providers. Conclusions In many health care settings, clinician : patient ratios are associated with patient health outcomes. We found systematic variations in clinician : patient ratios across National Collegiate Athletic Association divisions of competition and across medical versus athletics organizational models, raising the possibility that athletes' health outcomes vary across these contexts. Future researchers should evaluate the relationships between clinician : patient ratios and athletes' access to care, care provision, health care costs, health outcomes, and clinician job satisfaction.


2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chadron B. Hazelbaker

Context: Athletic training has expanded from traditional sport-team settings to varied settings involving active populations. Athletic trainers also use their education and abilities in administration to take on roles of management in hospitals and health care clinics. Objective: To begin to explore the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed in the emerging practice setting of health care management. Design: Delphi study. Setting: Directed surveys. Patients or Other Participants: Eight athletic trainers working as hospital and health care clinic managers in varied geographic settings. Data Collection and Analysis: Three rounds of directed surveys were used and included (1) a series of demographic questions and 1 focused, open-ended question, (2) 32 statements scored on a 6-point Likert-type scale with no neutral statement, and (3) 10 statements ranked in order of importance for the athletic trainer working as a health care manager. Results: I grouped the results into 2 categories: leadership skills and management tools. Conclusions: According to participants, effective health care managers need a strong understanding of business and management tools along with more interpersonal skills in communication and leadership. The results are consistent with the literature and may be applied in athletic training education programs and by athletic trainers seeking health care management positions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (9) ◽  
pp. 1221-1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan M. Jette

America is about to experience a demographic shift of enormous magnitude: increasing longevity, declining fertility, and the aging of the baby boomers, which are triggering an enormous “age wave.” We are facing the challenge of limited access to health care services by millions of our citizens, and unsustainable cost escalation. In response, health care is changing fundamentally. In the 2012 McMillan Lecture, Jette discusses 3 critical “system skills” that physical therapists must develop to practice successfully in a changing health care environment. First, therapists must become interested in data. Second, they must become skilled in the ability to devise solutions for the system problems that data and experience uncover. Third, the physical therapy profession must develop the ability to implement at scale—the ability to get therapists along the entire chain of care functioning in concert, in collaboration. Jette discusses the American Physical Therapy Association's Vision 2020 as it relates to these challenges and the degree to which he believes physical therapists are equipped with the system skills needed to function within effective health care systems to identify what works in physical therapy, for what conditions, under what circumstances, and at what cost. Jette articulates a revised vision for physical therapy that includes being a leader in teaching systems skills to practice successfully in interconnected heath care teams; being a recognized national leader in implementing evidence-based strategies; using standardized collection, analysis, and dissemination of intervention and outcomes data as a regular part of practice to determine what interventions best improve the health of individuals and society; and being a profession that is a central player in devising, evaluating, and implementing cost-effective health care innovations for communities as well as for individuals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 140-147
Author(s):  
Kayla E. Boehm ◽  
Blaine C. Long ◽  
Mitchell T. Millar ◽  
Kevin C. Miller

Effectiveness of Kinesiology Tex Tape (KTT) is conflicting, with some clinicians supporting and others refuting its effects. There is limited information on the psychological effects of KTT or whether its increased use has been influenced by professional athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the physiological, psychological, and use of KTT. A descriptive survey on the use of KTT was performed with athletic trainers and other health care providers. Many reported that KTT benefited patients physiologically and psychologically. Those who thought KTT provided a physiological benefit indicated that they use it. Many indicated KTT benefited patients psychologically, without impacting them physiologically. In addition, clinicians indicated KTT use has been influenced by professional athletes.


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