NATA Now

It’s an unprecedented time during the COVID-19 pandemic with states around the country shutting down in hopes of stopping the spread of the virus. People are advised throughout the U.S. to stay home, with many health care professionals stating, “I stay at work for you; you stay at home for us.”

Athletic trainers are eager to help in whatever capacity they can. Some ATs are on the frontline at testing locations, while others are working on the structure of how their cities can best handle the situation.

“Our daily routines are affected by the fluidly changing situation surrounding the coronavirus,” said David Middlemas, EdD, ATC, CCISM, chair of NATA ATs Care Commission in his NATA Now blog post “ATs Care Support During COVID-19.” “These changes directly impact both the athletic trainer’s personal and professional lives, often with minimal or no input into the planning. As a result, we are thrust into a period of uncertainty that has the potential to negatively impact one’s daily life.”

With so many cancellations due to COVID-19 that directly impact NATA members, we encourage members to consider using NATA’s extensive online learning platform for BOC-approved CEU content. Now is an excellent time to focus on advancing your clinical skills and clinical specialization with NATA’s online professional development offerings.

Wanting to provide members with the education they need in the format that best suits their lives and learning preferences, NATA offers a variety of online educational opportunities.

Editor's note: In honor of National Athletic Training Month, NATA is conducting a twice-weekly blog series throughout March that showcases how ATs use the five domains of athletic training to improve the health and well-being and their patients. This blog post highlights domain four, Therapeutic Intervention, and how members are embodying this year’s NATM theme, “ATs Impact Health Care Through Action.” 

It is an understatement to say that we are living in unprecedented times. ATs are facing tough challenges on a scale greater than many have experienced in their lifetime. As I speak with members throughout the country, I’m reminded of how incredibly resilient we are, how we are natural problem solvers and are willing to go above and beyond for the health and well-being of those in our care. The tireless response to this crisis by members across the globe makes me so very proud to be an athletic trainer.

By David A. Middlemas, EdD. ATC. CCISM

Chair, ATs Care Commission, National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Editor's note: In honor of National Athletic Training Month, NATA is conducting a twice-weekly blog series throughout March that showcases how ATs use the five domains of athletic training to improve the health and well-being of their patients. This blog post highlights domain three, Immediate and Emergency Care, and how members are embodying this year’s NATM theme, “ATs Impact Health Care Through Action.”

Editor's note: In honor of Women’s History Month this March, NATA would like to celebrate all women athletic trainers making a difference in the profession and their patients’ lives through a monthlong blog series.

When Jessica Obiedzinski, MS, ATC, LAT, was an undergraduate athletic training student, she envisioned herself going into a traditional setting and working with athletes just as her high school athletic trainer worked with her.

We find ourselves in an extraordinary time with the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is proactively addressing the pandemic on numerous fronts, including those listed below and others.

Athletic Trainers as a Key Workforce Solution in the Health Care System

As you know, it is possible that in locations around the United States, our health care system could become overwhelmed. NATA leaders view athletic trainers as a key solution to a potential health care workforce challenge.

Editor's note: In honor of National Athletic Training Month, NATA is conducting a twice-weekly blog series throughout March that showcases how ATs use the five domains of athletic training to improve the health and well-being and their patients. This blog post highlights domain three, Immediate and Emergency Care, and how members are embodying this year’s NATM theme, “ATs Impact Health Care Through Action.”