My Philosophy as a Graduate Athletic Training Student

By definition, an Athletic Trainer is a “health care professional who collaborates with physicians while providing services in prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions”.  While all of this is true, I believe that athletic training is MUCH more than that.  In my opinion, it takes one truly special individual to become an athletic trainer.  While some of these professionals are content with just being average, it is those professionals, who go above and beyond the basic “definition”, who truly excel in this field.  My philosophy is that athletic training is what you put into it. 

In terms of patient care, I offer patients with the best care I can possibly give. My top priority is the health and wellness of my athletes and patients.  While this sometimes may be a difficult task due to external factors, I am confident in my decision-making process and strive to always do what is best for the patient.   As a former athlete myself, I understand the demands that athletics have on the human body as well as the dedication that athletes possess to want to compete at the highest level possible.  From this understanding, I provide positive encouragement and a helping hand to those who are injured, while working hard to protect those who aren’t.

Along with patient care, I take great pride in forming respectful relationships with my athletes and patients.  I understand that opinions may vary, but I believe successful athletic trainers are those who understand their patients’ backgrounds and provide them with a sense of comfort.  The interaction with athletes on a daily basis, as well as being the individual who gets the opportunity to inspire and encourage an athlete from the time of his or her injury to the moment he or she takes the first step onto the field post-injury, is what drew me to this profession.

As an athletic training student, I believe in the importance of evidence-based practice and clinical experience.  The decisions that I make in the clinic are formed from evidenced-based ideas and practices.  If I am unaware of a certain injury or method, I will work hard to find an educated answer.  I believe that clinical experience is an invaluable learning tool and something students should take very seriously. I always let my passion drive my desire to learn and experience as much as I can when I'm in the athletic training room.  Asking questions and engaging in discussions with preceptors, only add to the clinical experience.  If you put in “average” work in the clinic, you will gain only an “average” experience.  I have the desire to be an extraordinary athletic trainer, so I put in extraordinary effort both in the classroom and in the clinic.  Again, athletic training is what you put into it.