Value Model of the

Certified Athletic Trainer

in the

Occupational Setting



Submitted: June 23, 2003


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TABLE of CONTENTS

PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
INJURY PREVENTION............................................................................................................................................... 5
INJURY MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................................................. 6
DETERMINING RESULTS .......................................................................................................................................... 7
WHAT & HOW TO MEASURE..................................................................................................................................... 8
UNDERSTANDING STAKEHOLDERS AND THEIR NEEDS .............................................................................................. 8
DEFINING VALUE ...................................................................................................................................................10
VALUE FORMULA ....................................................................................................................................................11
METHODS OF MEASURING VALUE ...........................................................................................................................12
FORMULATING VALUE WITH ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES ...........................................................................................14
Payback Period .................................................................................................................................................15
Net Present Value..............................................................................................................................................16
Return on Investment........................................................................................................................................17
Cost Avoidance .................................................................................................................................................18
Net Savings of Return to Work ...........................................................................................................................21


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INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND MOD RATES ................................................................................................................22
MEDICAL AND HEALTH INDICATORS .......................................................................................................................24
MEASURING WORKERS COMPENSATION BENEFITS AS A VALUE ................................................................................25
TREATMENT GUIDELINES .......................................................................................................................................26
NATA OCCUPATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINER SURVEY..................................................................................................28
CASE STUDY: APPLETON PAPERS, INC.....................................................................................................................29
CONCLUSION .........................................................................................................................................................31
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................................32
APPENDIX A: DOMAINS OF THE ATC IN RELATIONSHIP TO INDUSTRY ......................................................................33
APPENDIX B: FEES PAID TO THE WORKERS COMPENSATION COMMISSION ..............................................................35
APPENDIX C: CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS DELIVER ROI IN OCCUPATIONAL WORK SETTINGS..............................36

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Purpose

The overall purpose of the committee preparing the
Value Model of the Certified Athletic Trainer in the
occupational setting is to create and purposefully
evaluate the following:



Determination of a finite methodology that can be
used across all the working arenas of Athletic Training
that will objectively and financially document the
effectiveness and efficiency of employing a Certified
Athletic Trainer (ATC).

In order to fulfill this overall objective the following must
be evaluated:



Can determining the role of value produce a better
prepared, specifically skilled, highly respected and
financially valuable healthcare professional with the
credentials of ATC to benefit the profession and those
individuals in the occupational arena?



By establishing a method of measuring value beyond
the use outcome measures, can athletic trainers and
the profession effectively demonstrate that the ATC
brings significant monetary improvement to the
bottom line of the end user whether the user is the
occupational setting, schools, hospitals, or
professional sporting organizations?


As a sub-set of these questions, the NATA leadership will
be provided with information to furnish solutions to the
following:



Do the current educational domains, knowledge base,
and entrance skill levels of the ATC meet the
requirements of those individuals being employed in
the role of the Certified Athletic Trainer in Industry?
And further do these skills bring financial value to the
end user?



Are there needs for future skill requirements,
advanced education, specialty credentials or specific
knowledge requirements which will make the ATC the
best allied healthcare professional to be performing
services in the occupational setting?



How can a value model with an objective and
measurable formula be used to begin, improve, or
sustain the present levels of both internal and
external marketing of the ATC in the occupational
setting. Further, how can this information be
translated to improve the employment of all
professionals choosing a career in the prevention,
treatment, and rehabilitation of physically active
individuals.

Using this value model effectively will strengthen the
credibility and visibility of the Certified Athletic Trainer in
the occupational setting by critically evaluating the


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perceptions, needs, and expectations of the occupational
customer. While taking a deeper look into the skill set
requirements of the ATC in the occupational setting and
presenting to the NATA leadership necessary and
potential educational changes this will better equip the
professional wishing to make a career in this arena.

Introduction

Athletic training has traditionally been a profession
concerned with an individuals health and well being. An
athletic trainer is an individual who specializes in athletic
training. The history of athletic training is quite complex
as it involves elements from such disciplines as exercise,
medicine, physical rehabilitation, physical education, and
sport.

The specialty of athletic training as it is known today
came into existence during the late nineteenth century.
At this time, athletic trainers were primarily involved with
intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes in the United
States. During these early years the skills of athletic
trainers were limited to rub downs and occasionally the
prescription of various home remedies and poultices
(Arnheim and Prentice, 1993).

The growth of athletic training has changed dramatically
from the role of providing rub downs to now being an
allied health professional recognized by the American
Medical Association. The athletic trainer of today is
concerned with the health and well-being of athletes and
has taken on the responsibility of overseeing the total
health care of the athlete (Arnheim and Prentice, 1993).

While many athletic trainers are still employed in athletic-
related settings, there are a number of certified athletic
trainers employed in a variety of other settings. For
example, the modern athletic trainer can now be found
offering valuable knowledge and expertise in the military,
physician offices, professional rodeo, auto racing,
performing arts, and occupational companies.

The diverse skills of athletic trainers make them an
attractive health care professional in the occupational
setting. These skills are discussed in Appendix A and
are related to the Domains of Athletic Training as
established by the National Athletic Trainers Association
Board of Certification. From these domains a cost
effective understanding can be placed on the importance
of an ATC.

Background

Liberty Mutual calculates U.S. businesses are paying
$120 billion to $240 billion on workers compensation
annually (More Liberty Mutual Data, 2001).

Overexertion, defined as injuries from excessive lifting,
pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, or throwing of an
object, was the leading cause of disabling injuries that
resulted in employees missing five or more days of work
in 1999 (Liberty Mu