Figure it Out: Thinking Through the Medical Decision Process - What Are You Trying to Tell Me
Robert Waskowitz, MD
Physicians require the most pertinent information from a thorough evaluation by the athletic trainer to determine a course of action for patient care. It has come to light that at times athletic trainers are not displaying their medical knowledge and clinical skills to their full potential when presenting patient’s finding to the physician. Therefore, the purpose of this presentation is to improve the quality of assessment of a patient and improve communication of the findings.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the importance of the systematic approach to the assessment process
- Establish medical decision strategies for optimal patient centered care
- Select ways to improve communication of clinical findings to the medical provider
Optimizing Care in the Athletic Training Facility
Robert Howard, ATC
The athletic training facility should be an encouraging environment where evidence-based patient care takes place. The need for athletic training facilities to meet professional standards is of utmost importance for a patient-centered approach to health care. Current policies and procedures remain critical to the management of the health care facility. This presentation will guide athletic trainers in facility management for creating positive patient care outcomes.
Learning Objectives
- Formulate methods for optimizing patient centered care through established policies and procedures
- Discuss current trends in providing athletic training services in the traditional setting
- Outline strategies for establishing a health care facility atmosphere that promotes quality patient care
The Management Plan: Start Active Treatment Verses Immediate Referral Without an Initial Assessment
Kristopher Ware, MD
Athletic trainers practice professionally with the consent and under the direction of a health care provider and through standing orders that permit patient care to be initiated. Team physicians have the responsibility of determining the professional skill level of the athletic trainer under their direction to ensure optimal patient care is provided. The interpretation of the complete initial assessment remains key to starting active treatment under the prescribed standing orders with the patients. Mentoring is a long-term process of evaluating the professional skills and the decision-making process for professionals working under the direction of health care provider.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the value of the athletic trainers in establishing the immediate management plan based on standing orders
- Summarize the positive impact of the initial assessment in the communication process with the team physician
- Describe the mentoring relationship between the team physician and the athletic trainer that creates optimal patient center care
Supportive Team Physician- Mentoring: Cases Where Teamwork was the Key to Positive Patient Care Outcomes
Zac Maass, DO
The preparatory school setting can be challenging due to the wide age range of the students. Advancing the athletic trainer as a health care professional in this setting relies on interprofessional relationships that encourages clinical growth. The health care team’s efficiency and success in patient care requires a relationship of understanding for the optimal deployment of the professional skill set of the athletic trainer and the team physician. Optimal care is the result of a strong relationship, in which the roles are recognized. Therefore, the goal of the cases presented are to improve teamwork among all levels of the athletic health care team, and to create positive patient care outcomes
Learning Objectives
- Describe the benefits and outcomes of athletic healthcare teamwork in the preparatory school setting
- Summarize recommendations for advancing the athletic trainer as a health care professional
- Discuss the dynamic nature of athletic health care team
Be Brief: Making the Most of Your Time with your Team Physician
Mary Cardarelli, PT, ATC
In the healthcare system, time is of the essence, and it is critical for athletic trainers to get the proper information to the team physician efficiently and contribute positively to the care of a patient. Communication that is open and frequent between clinicians creates a strong relationship that ultimately leads to quality patient care, especially as the athletic trainer implements follow up care. The goal of the presentation is to recognize how to best interact with your team physician to optimize patient care.
Learning Objectives
- Summarize concepts of optimizing the time with your team physician
- Identify key points that contribute to a healthy working relationship
- Prioritize the role of the athletic trainer as the point of contact for follow up care
Why did you send them? - Preventing the Medical Problem from Taxing the Health Care System
Dan Veltri, MD
The athletic training professional permits the evaluation process to determine the allowable level of care provided to the patient. Within the scope of practice, on-site treatment initiated by the athletic trainer can minimize medical costs to the patient. For newly employed athletic trainers, managing the referral process remains challenging due to minimal independent experiences. Curtailing medical costs can be obtained by recognizing when patient referral is necessary and emphasizing the beneficial role of the AT regarding the safe return to sports.
Learning Objectives
- Identify treatment strategies and management plans to minimize taxing the health care system
- Identify strategies for optimizing medical care for adolescents competing in high school athletics
- Prioritize the role of the athletic trainer for establishing plans for safe return to athletic competition
EMS Expectations: Communicate Initial & Serial Assessment Findings & Care Provided
Matthew May, EMT-P
Athletic trainers work collectively with EMS providers to ensure the best possible outcome for patients during an emergent situation. It is vital that athletic trainers have a seamless transfer of care with EMS to optimize patient care. However, it is important to address specific areas that athletic trainers could continue to work on to make sure that the best possible care is provided to the patient prior to EMS arrival. Understanding the information presented will ensure optimal transfer of care between athletic trainers and EMS personnel. The following presentation will address how athletic trainers can improve on their BLS care, emergency equipment knowledge, preparedness for an emergency event to occur, having a “disaster space” mindset, and knowing how to deal with situations when technology fails.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the essential components of the assessment for optimal transfer of care to the EMS health care provider
- Review specific fundamental management strategies for enhancing emergency care
- Optimize patient care through awareness of interprofessional skills
Introducing the Industrial-Occupational Athletic Trainer and Identifying How to Create Value
Caitlyn DiCioccio, ATC & Michael Kahn, LAT, ATC, FMT, CAOHC, CEAS III
Athletic Trainers are not traditionally trained or well informed on the practices to of creating value. This discussion will show the importance of this practice while identifying how to do so. Documentation along with properly understanding trends in order to correlate impact are vital in understanding how to create value in all settings
Learning Objectives
- Summarize the design of injury prevention work programs
- Identify implementation and measurement strategies for reducing injury
- Discover collaborating AT and MD methods which are fundamental to return-to-work programs
Demystifying Athletic Training in the Military Setting
Kate Frick, MS, ATC, LAT CSCS
Working with the Armed Forces is a significant emerging setting for the Athletic Trainer with hundreds of new positions expected in the next year. Athletic Trainers may shy away from these opportunities due to lack of familiarity with the setting. Working with the military may seem intimidating to those unfamiliar with this population. This talk will explore the basics of working in a military setting, common types of employment opportunities, unique expectations and requirements, and ways Athletic Trainers serve as members of the military team.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the differences and similarities between tactical athletes and traditional athletes
- Differentiate the day-to-day norms in healthcare practice between a typical athletic training setting and that of the military athletic trainer
- Compare how military athletic training practice differs from civilian clinical practice or working with athletic teams
- Describe specific attributes that often lead to success for the athletic trainer in a military setting
We Got Your 6: How Athletic Trainers are Transforming Military Medicine
JoEllen Sefton, PhD, ATC, LAT
Athletic trainers are leading the way in transforming Military medicine from a sickness/injury-based effort to a wellness, injury prevention and human performance focused practice. Individual ATs have a long history working with service members, with numbers slowly expanding since 2009. The past few years has finally brought a huge expansion in the number of ATs working with military units. This talk will focus on the big picture of how ATs are taking point on this transformation and the expanding opportunities for ATs working with this population.
Learning Objectives
- Show how the sports medicine approach is being adopted into military medicine
- Discover the expansion in job opportunities for ATs working with service members
- Recognize the unique characteristics and needs of tactical athletes
- Summarize cultural differences that influence tactical athlete care outcomes
- Discover how the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) and similar programs are advocating for these changes