Step Out and Help Out - Grow the Profession Together

As the profession of Athletic Training continues to grow and evolve we all feel the growing pains from time to time, regardless of our individual practice setting.  As an AT in the secondary school setting I struggle regularly these days with the expectation, or at a minimum, desire from parents and coaches that I be not only available but onsite for every practice and event.  Unfortunately this is simply not possible with only two staff athletic trainers responsible for the healthcare of 800+ athletes participating in 15 sports and over 50 teams.  But the word is out, athletic trainers are an important if not vital aspect of athletic participation.  This is great, however despite the knowledge and sentiment, staffing formulas in this practice setting have not caught up with the times, thus we struggle.  

This is true of every practice setting in some form or fashion.  I hear stories from my colleagues in various settings of their struggles.  So the question is, what can or should be done about it? Unfortunately, I don't believe there is one single answer that address every issue out there.  What I do believe, is there are things we can do as individuals that will have a great impact on the profession as a whole and will help everyone.  That said, if we are to accomplish this we must all step out of our comfort zone and think globally.  We must break away from the mindset that if a particular initiative does not apply to my practice setting directly that it is not important for me to participate.

One such initiative is that of every AT getting their National Provider Identifier (NPI).  Many athletic trainers in my practice setting or in other more traditional settings ask the question why.  "Why should I get my NPI? I'm never going to bill for services so there is no need." This is what I mean when I say step out of your comfort zone and look at the global perspective of the initiative.  Seek to understand what is being asked of you.  An NPI number does not mean that you are going to bill for services and there is no requirement that you do anything to maintain your number.  But by getting your NPI number you are identifying yourself as a healthcare provider on a national registry, and this makes a big difference! It makes a big difference when AT's approach elected officials about legislation pertaining to athletic trainers and we promote ourselves as healthcare providers.  Those officials will often ask why so few NATA members have an NPI if we consider ourselves healthcare providers.  This is a hard question to answer.  But how strong of a statement would it make if we walked into that same meeting, introduced AT's as healthcare providers and the data supported that statement unequivocally? To apply for your NPI, follow this link and spend a few short minutes to help our profession.

We are all in this profession together, regardless of practice setting.  Growth is great.  If we aren't growing we are dying.  But growth is not always easy, nor is it a comfortable process.  However, if we all work together it can be vastly rewarding.  I encourage everyone to step out of your comfort zone from time to time.  Look around at this great profession and ask what can I do to promote my colleagues and the profession as a whole? If everyone does a little, we will all benefit a lot.  

Josh Woodall; M.Ed., ATC, LAT 

SWATA President