As an athletic trainer, it is important to be familiar with the terminology and documentation used in the field. This guide will provide you with the essential information you need to know.
Terminology
- Athletic training: Theprevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries and illnesses that occur in athletes.
- Athletic trainer: A qualified healthcare professional who is responsible for the care of athletes.
- Injury: Any damage to the body that occurs during physical activity.
- Illness: Any disease or condition that affects the body.
- Prevention: Measures taken to prevent injuries and illnesses from occurring.
- Diagnosis: The process of identifying the cause of an injury or illness.
- Treatment: The process of providing care for an injury or illness.
- Rehabilitation: The process of helping an athlete to recover from an injury or illness.
- Documentation: The process of recording information about an athlete’s injury or illness.
Documentation
Documentation is an important part of athletic training. It provides a record of the care that an athlete has received and can be used to track progress and identify trends. Athletic trainers may use a variety of different methods to document an athlete’s care, including:
- Paper charts: Paper charts are the traditional method of documentation used by athletic trainers. They provide a detailed record of an athlete’s care, but they can be time-consuming to complete and difficult to store.
- Electronic health records (EHRs): EHRs are computerized systems that allow athletic trainers to document an athlete’s care electronically.EHRs are more efficient than paper charts and they provide a secure way to store and share patient information.
- Online documentation systems: There are a number of online documentation systems available that allow athletic trainers to document an athlete’s care online. Online documentation systems are convenient and they offer a variety of features that can make documentation easier.
Regardless of the method used, it is important to document an athlete’s care accurately and completely. Documentation should include the following information:
- The athlete’s name, date of birth, and contact information
- The date and time of the injury or illness
- The mechanism of injury or illness
- The symptoms of the injury or illness
- The diagnosis
- The treatment
- The prognosis
- The athlete’s progress
Documentation is an essential part of athletic training. It provides a record of the care that an athlete has received and can be used to track progress and identify trends. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can ensure that you are documenting your patients’ care accurately and completely.
