Welcome! Our goal for this website is to provide
members with information, news, and networking opportunities. Additionally,
we want to inform others, particularly in the armed forces, of
who we are and what we provide as an allied health care profession.
We would like to thank our corporate sponsor, The Andrews Institute for their support! The Andrews Institute is a world class center for orthopaedic and sports medicine in treatment and research of musculoskeletal injuries.
For those of you interested in membership, please
refer to the “Contact / Join Us ” section of this website.
Our Newsletter and other helpful information is in our “Members Only” section.
Thanks for visiting!
What is an athletic trainer?
An athletic trainer
(AT) is an allied health care provider who works in a variety
of settings. ATs are providers of care, prevention, assessment,
treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal
injury in active populations. ATs work under the supervision of a physician (usually an orthopaedic surgeon or family care physician with a sport medicine specialty). They are trained to recognize and
refer a variety of illnesses and conditions to the appropriate
physician. Athletic trainers also provide on site initial emergency
medical care, treat general or minor illnesses and medical conditions,
and much
more.
ATs are nationally certified through
the Board of Certification for
the Athletic Trainer, and hold the "ATC" credential.
| MAJ
Terry DeWitt (PhD, ATC), president of AFATS, handing out
toys to Iraqi children. |
AFATS
members such as DeWitt (center) have personal knowledge of
the benefits athletic trainers can provide the military. |
Other advantages
of employing ATs is that they are personally involved with their
patients (or athletes) from
constant,
and often
daily,
interaction.
ATs don't just see patients in a clinic or exam
room. They have the ability to see their
patients where they work,
in real time, and gain the perspective essential in making rehabilitation
not
only
a
return to daily living activities, but a practical ability to continue
the job - especially those that require a lot of physical demands
and experience frequent changes in the working environment. This is where service members can particularly benefit from athletic training services.
We are NOT trying to become active duty service members - but we are trying to enhance the health care that is already established in the Armed Forces, and to provide further rehabilitative and on site care that when in harmony with physicians and physical therapists can create a more effective and efficient health care system.
Other advantages that ATs can provide:
 |
reduction
in man work days lost due to injury |
|
reduction
in permanent profiles and medical boards |
|
injury
prevention assessment and implementation |
|
risk
management assessment |
|
concussion
(head injury) evaluation and monitoring |
|
daily rehabilitation without
loss of physical conditioning |
|
implementation of strength
and conditioning programs |
|
identify and retrain improper
body mechanics |
|
on
site evaluation and treatment of injury and illness |
|
daily
interaction with patients |
More on our unique
health care services can be found here.
The
Armed Forces Athletic Trainers' Society's mission is to promote
the athletic training profession in support of the US armed forces by educating
military leaders and working in a coordinated effort to promote the benefits of athletic training services to service
members, thereby enhancing the US armed forces health care system.
If you would like more information on the athletic
training profession, or would like to inquire about employing athletic
trainers, please contact the secretary.
Back to the top
Free
Clipart or Photos: www.ace-clipart.com |
©
