I am a newly graduated athletic trainer and I work in the NKY area for an outpatient physical therapy company. Most schools in this area have ATCs on site for the majority of athletic events. Those schools either have a school employed ATC, that may have other obligations at the school (this is becoming more and more uncommon), or the schools have a contract with a rehabilitation company. In these contracts, the school usually agrees to pay a fee to have an ATC on campus during hours of athletic competition (usually from around 2 PM-until practices or games are done for the evening), the ATC is paid a salary by the company, and the ATC fulfills a fulltime work schedule to the company (a combination of hours worked in the PT clinic and at their respective schools). The ATC is present for all home athletic events, and thier presence at the various events is dependent on the relative risk of injury in that sport (i.e. in the case that a football practice and volleyball practice are occuring at the same time- the football practice would take precedence.) The ATCs that I know in this area all have a very good relationship with their student-athletes, families, coaches, and staff of the school they are involved with. In response to a previous comment- injured athletes have the right to see whichever doctor, specialist, or physical therapist they or thier parents desire, and for the most part an injured athlete does not see a physical therapist unless the physician they see recommends PT as a viable option. However, if the athletes and thier families have a good relationhip with their ATCs, they usually take the advice and recommendation of their ATC in deciding which physician/PT to see.

I am a newly graduated athletic trainer and I work in the NKY area for an outpatient physical therapy company. Most schools in this area have ATCs on site for the majority of athletic events. Those schools either have a school employed ATC, that may have other obligations at the school (this is becoming more and more uncommon), or the schools have a contract with a rehabilitation company. In these contracts, the school usually agrees to pay a fee to have an ATC on campus during hours of athletic competition (usually from around 2 PM-until practices or games are done for the evening), the ATC is paid a salary by the company, and the ATC fulfills a fulltime work schedule to the company (a combination of hours worked in the PT clinic and at their respective schools). The ATC is present for all home athletic events, and thier presence at the various events is dependent on the relative risk of injury in that sport (i.e. in the case that a football practice and volleyball practice are occuring at the same time- the football practice would take precedence.) The ATCs that I know in this area all have a very good relationship with their student-athletes, families, coaches, and staff of the school they are involved with. In response to a previous comment- injured athletes have the right to see whichever doctor, specialist, or physical therapist they or thier parents desire, and for the most part an injured athlete does not see a physical therapist unless the physician they see recommends PT as a viable option. However, if the athletes and thier families have a good relationhip with their ATCs, they usually take the advice and recommendation of their ATC in deciding which physician/PT to see.

 

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It was my understanding that all schools were to have an ambulance at all home games. This may not be a rule, but I thought it was. I know several schools that contract a local private ambulance service to provide coverage, and that costs them a decent amount of money.

 

I understand your point about having someone available for the whole week, varsity game, JV game, freshmen game, and practice. And, I don't disagree with that. I just don't think a law/rule is necessary.

 

I know that Raceland used to have a contract with a local orthopedic company that provided trainers for all games and followed up with all injuries and referred those in need to a appropriate physician. But, they never provided a trainer for practice. This company still does not provide trainers for practice. Raceland no longer has that contract. This company is the only company close to North-Eastern Kentucky that I am aware of that provides trainer for sporting events, and they are located in Huntington, WV.

 

For teams in my are to have an athletic trainer, they either have to hire the above company, which does not provide the needed coverage, or they have to hire a trainer to their staff. I only know of one school that has sports trainers on staff, in my area, and they are also health and PE teachers.

 

What I am asking is, what are schools going to do that don't have such a company in their area? We are in an urban area if you will, with Ashland, and Huntington, WV close and don't have the resources to provide trainers. What about counties that do not have any such trainers close? How would a rule affect them?

 

They either negotiate with the company that's close and pay them what they want to provide a full time athletic trainer or they hire an athletic trainer full time themselves even if that means creating a teaching position for them. I know for a fact that at least 2 schools in that area have full time athletic trainers. All of them should and there is no acceptable excuse for not having one.

Haven't had a big issue with the trainers or the Dr.'s that the trainer represented or reccommended, but have gone to a different Dr. after years of PT and trying to solve a problem injury and after switching to the new Dr. the problem injury was solved within 6 months.

 

I think what I am trying to say is, if the trainer, that is associated with the school, and their "group of dr.'s" aren't giving you the answers or solving the problem, please get a second opinion. And don't hesitate. Many times, time is of the essence with injuries. You are not obligated to the trainers Dr."s just because they saw injury and they can get you a next day appointment. After an injury, most orthopaedic surgeons will get you in the next day.

 

First it's athletic trainer.

 

Second, I don't understand what your problem is. No one has suggested that parents don't have the final say in who treats their child. You really seem to have a problem with this and I'm curious to know what it is.

First it's athletic trainer.

 

Second, I don't understand what your problem is. No one has suggested that parents don't have the final say in who treats their child. You really seem to have a problem with this and I'm curious to know what it is.

 

As you will note, I have highlighted the parts of his statements I have a problem with and asked for more info., which he has given me. And yes, I did have a problem. Fortunately we got a second opinion when we did, got it solved when the school PT Dr. was giving us nothing but PT sessions and the second opinion Dr. gave us answers and a solution.

 

As memyselfandi suggested that it is "understood" that the student athlete go to their respective company for rehab.

 

In the end it is a great business move for Dr.'s and PT's to opperate and generate business. Just keep an open mind as a parent and do what is best for your child and not just go to a Dr. because the PT was there, saw the injury, suggested a Dr., and get you an easy appointment in. Trust me, many parents will fall into this because they like the PT, but that doesn't mean they are the best for your childs injury.

They either negotiate with the company that's close and pay them what they want to provide a full time athletic trainer or they hire an athletic trainer full time themselves even if that means creating a teaching position for them. I know for a fact that at least 2 schools in that area have full time athletic trainers. All of them should and there is no acceptable excuse for not having one.

 

:thumb:

 

I don't think people realize EXACTLY what an athletic trainer does so when it comes to athletics it usually is the last thing people think of because they think a coach can do the samething.

Haven't had a big issue with the trainers or the Dr.'s that the trainer represented or reccommended, but have gone to a different Dr. after years of PT and trying to solve a problem injury and after switching to the new Dr. the problem injury was solved within 6 months.

 

I think what I am trying to say is, if the trainer, that is associated with the school, and their "group of dr.'s" aren't giving you the answers or solving the problem, please get a second opinion. And don't hesitate. Many times, time is of the essence with injuries. You are not obligated to the trainers Dr."s just because they saw injury and they can get you a next day appointment. After an injury, most orthopaedic surgeons will get you in the next day.

 

I would hope that any good athletic trainer would try to do what is best for their athlete. No one is obligated to go to the doctor that the athletic trainer recommends it is merely a suggestion.