Athletic Trainers’ Perceptions of Their Scope of Practice

in International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training

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Cailee E. Welch BaconDepartment of Athletic Training, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA
School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8145-7736*
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Nydia L. CabraUniversity of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
Department of Athletic Training, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA

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Taryn C. PenningtonDepartment of Athletic Training, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA
United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

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Lindsey E. EbermanDepartment of Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA

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Julie M. CavallarioAthletic Training Programs, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijatt.2022-0064
Keywords:
state practice act; athletic training legislation; state law; professional advocacy
First Published Online:
17 Jan 2023
In Print:
Ahead of Print
Page Range:
1–6
Restricted access

All athletic trainers (ATs) must meet regulatory standards as outlined in state practice acts. While state practice acts are similar, some variations can lead to misunderstanding or unfamiliarity with appropriate scopes of practice. We aimed to describe ATs’ perceptions regarding athletic training scope of practice. Only 29.7% of respondents correctly identified state government as the agency that defines athletic training scope of practice and 51.7% agreed their respective state practice act limits the skills they can perform. To advocate for the profession, ATs must have a primary understanding of the laws and regulations that promote ATs to work at their fullest ability.

Welch Bacon (cwelch@atsu.edu) is corresponding author, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8145-7736

In order to properly advocate for the profession, it is critical ATs have a fundamental understanding of the laws and regulations that promote opportunities to work at their fullest ability according to the law.

In addition to advocacy for AT value and worth, it is crucial that ATs engage in professional advocacy to advance the athletic training profession.

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International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training

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