Terminology

The NATA and the BOC put out a clarification last spring on the use of our credential and the proper acronym use. 

From the BOC:

"ATC refers to the credential held by a Certified Athletic Trainer (AT). ATC should only be used when referring to the credential, and it should not be used in singular or plural form (ATC or ATCs) when referring to an individual Athletic Trainer (AT) or a group of Athletic Trainers (ATs)."

http://www.bocatc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=172&Itemid=131

Proper Term Usage

ATC
1.	May be listed after the name of a Certified Athletic Trainer (without the registered trademark symbol)	Correct: John Doe, ATC
2.	May be used to refer to the credential (with the registered trademark symbol)	Correct: John Doe earned the ATC® credential.
3.	Should not be used to refer to the certified individual	Incorrect: John Doe is an ATC.

NATA Policy on ATC Terminology:

"NATA’s policy is not to use the ATC acronym as a noun. ATC is an acronym that describes a credential, not a person, and it should only be used following the name of a certified individual. Using the ATC acronym as a noun inhibits the Board of Certification’s ability to protect the ATC credential against misuse. In other words, NATA and the BOC cannot protect the copyright on the ATC mark if it becomes known as a common noun."

(Excerpt from Athletic Training Terminology, retrieved from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association website: http://www.nata.org/about_AT/terminology.htm, April 15, 2009)

One of the other recommendations is that we use either the term Athletic Training Clinic or Facility instead of Athletic Training Room. I can go along with this. It is a better representation of our work environment.

We should begin incorporating this terminology as soon as possible. People often complain about the term "trainer" . What better way to phase out the it's use than by referring to yourself and your colleagues as an AT. When we refer to other health care providers we usually use initials such as, PT, PA, EMT, etc. Eventually, our athletes, coaches, administrators and finally the public will associate the term to us.

NATA Think Tanks

I decided to check out the NATA Think Tanks section on their website. You need to log into the members section and follow the link on the left side. The registration process did not go well. I followed the link to register and was eventually sent an email directing me to another link to finish the registration process. The only problem was that the page that I was sent to was the original registration page. The email directed me to click on a link on the upper left corner. There was no link, I was just sent back to square one. I emailed the NATA staff member who sent the original email telling her that I was getting no where. She did respond back promptly that she would inform the tech people and they would get back to me. Well, a week goes by and no response from the NATA tech people. I then email the original contact and ask "what is going on"? She again responds back promptly and forwards my email to the tech guys again. They do respond back right away with a new link and instructions. I am finally registered.

I emailed back the tech guy and told him that everything was working fine. I also asked him how they expected people to participate in these Think Tanks if it so difficult to register. He stated that it has been a problem over the last couple of months and they may be looking at a different software vendor.

So anyway, I am finally in. The Think Tanks are divided into different areas of interest.

Clinical & Emerging Practices

Legislative-Regulatory/Revenue-Reimbursement
College/University 

Athletic Trainer Life Balance
Communications 

Meeting Planning
Diversity and Gender Issues 

Membership
Educator 

Public Relations
Ethics 

Secondary School
Fundraising 

Student
International 

Young Professional

You choose the areas that interests you but once registered you have access to all subject areas.  It looks like these forums began in September of 2008.  There are not many posts in many of them. Fundraising has 8 and Health Care Reform has 6.  The most traffic is in the Secondary School and College/University. 496 and 112 respectively.  Some threads are very entertaining, especially in the Secondary School discussion.  You will get a good laugh out of, Coaches ...... Who has the best story, Parents....who has the best story, or Athletes say/do the darndest things.  Great reads and of great educational value to entry level AT's or students.


Overall, I think the Think Tanks are a great idea, but it seems their execution is wanting.  Participation is key in a discussion forum and if it is difficult to sign up you will not end up with new subscribers you need to keep things interesting. I think the NATA needs to push these more.