Athletic Trainers (ATs) are versatile healthcare professionals who can work in a variety of settings, including clinics, hospitals, professional sports teams, and more. However, they are often most visible in school settings, such as middle schools, high schools, and colleges, where they play a crucial role in the health and safety of student-athletes. ATs are responsible for preventing, diagnosing, and treating sports-related injuries, as well as providing emergency care when needed. In these environments, it is essential for the sports medicine team, comprised of athletic trainers, physicians, physical therapists, other specialists, and coaches, to work collaboratively to ensure that student-athletes receive the best care possible. By learning about the sports medicine team’s roles, you will gain insight into how they work alongside other healthcare professionals to promote the well-being and recovery of athletes.
Role of the Athletic Trainer (AT)
Athletic Trainers (ATs) play a crucial role in maintaining the health and welfare of student-athletes' by providing top-notch medical care. They work closely with team physicians and physical therapists to assess, treat, and rehabilitate athletic injuries, ensuring a safe and effective return to competition.
ATs also coordinate care with other members of the sports medicine team, including doctors, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports psychologists. They educate student-athletes on injury prevention, care, and various health topics such as drug testing, nutrition, supplements, and sports psychology.
One of the key responsibilities of the AT is to assess whether a student- athlete is physically able to participate safely in sports activities.
Role of the Physical Therapist (PT)
Physical Therapists (PTs) are essential in facilitating the rehabilitation of athletes injuries. They monitor the progress of the injured athlete’s recovery, communicating updates to the treating physician, AT, and the sports medicine team.
PTs assess the strength and range of motion of the patient to determine when an athlete is ready to progress in their rehabilitation or be cleared to return to play. They support both the physical and mental rehabilitation
goals of the athlete.
In addition, PTs maintain ongoing communication with the AT and team doctor to ensure the student-athlete's recovery is on track.
Role of the School Nurse
School nurses are responsible for assessing students' health, identifying potential health problems, and developing a care plan for managing issues in the school setting. They also conduct health screenings and make referrals, as necessary.
Nurses track immunizations and report communicable diseases as required by law. They collaborate with students, parents, physicians, and teachers to ensure students' health needs are met, all while adhering to confidentiality laws.
In addition to providing care for general injuries and illnesses, school nurses may assist in managing pre-participation physicals for student- athletes. They also communicate with the AT if an athlete gets injured or becomes ill during the school day, while the AT notifies the school nurse of any serious injuries that occur during after-school sports activities.
Role of the School/Team Doctor
The school or team doctor is a physician affiliated with a sports team or organization, responsible for managing routine, preventative, and urgent medical care. They conduct pre-participation physicals for student-athletes and provide standing orders for the AT they work with; if required by the state’s practice regulations. Team doctors also coordinate care with the AT and act as a liaison between the team and other healthcare specialists and facilities.
Role of the Coach
Coaches play a key role in working alongside the athletic training staff to ensure the health and welfare of student-athletes by providing the best possible medical coverage. Coaches are required to maintain current certifications in CPR/AED and First Aid and review emergency procedures annually.
Coaches may also undergo annual training, such as concussion awareness courses. Before practices and games, coaches check in with the athletic training staff to receive updated reports on student-athletes' participation statuses.
If an injury occurs during practice or a competition when an athletic trainer is not present, the coach must alert the athletic training staff. In case of an emergency, if no athletic trainer is available, the coach is responsible for transporting and staying with the student-athlete until further care is available.
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