Athletic Training Observation

In the past few months, I have had the invaluable opportunity to observe one of the Athletic Trainers at The University of Miami and see firsthand what it is like to work for a Division 1 athletic program. Many people never see what goes on behind the scenes in order for their favorite athletes to perform at the highest level during sporting events. Being in the Athletic Training Facility gave me this exposure and helped me to understand just how essential the role of the athletic trainer is for a program. I was able to apply the information that we covered in class in order to get a better understanding of why the Athletic Trainer made certain decisions in regards to their athletes’ health. Every moment I spent in the Athletic Training Facility, …show more content…
When an athlete obtains an injury or is in a medical emergency, it is imperative that the athletic trainers have access to the patient’s medical history so that they have a baseline for vital signs and are aware of any risk factors. The pre-participation exam is a useful tool for athletic trainers to know what is normal for the athlete so they can identify abnormalities. This record and many other documents are to be kept in the file of each patient. Without it, an athlete’s life can be put into danger. For example, patient files include information about the patient’s allergies and without proper documentation, you run the risk of exposing the athlete to a harmful substance, which can lead to anaphylactic shock. The athletic trainer also documents initial injuries and progress notes during rehabilitation and treatment. This can be given to the team’s physician when needed in order to maintain parallel treatment between the different health care …show more content…
This is Josh’s first year at the University of Miami as a graduate assistant majoring in Strength and Conditioning and Fitness Entrepreneurship. He hopes to one day open the doors to a fitness center called “NuFitness” with his wife, who is a nutritionist. Josh’s path to athletic training was exceedingly interesting. He played soccer at the University of Toledo in Ohio and was hoping to go on to medical school after graduation. Josh then shifted his focus to Physical Therapy but ultimately decided that he wanted to remain in athletics so he choose to pursue Athletic Training. Before coming to Miami, he completed an internship at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He explained that Miami’s graduate program was ultimately what drew him to the University and he was one of the few accepted to work with our athletic