With A National Health Care Shortage And Increased Need For Patient Care, Athletic Trainers Fill A Necessary Niche As "Physician Extenders"

Bulls**t.

"In these challenging economic times, even the most efficient medical offices, hospitals and clinics are looking for ways to increase productivity. In light of the national shortage of health care workers today, one profession that has proven effective in achieving productivity is athletic training, particularly when members work as "physician extenders" in clinical environments. According to the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), using physician extenders in medical and hospital practices can result in time savings, patient satisfaction, increased revenue, increased physician productivity and efficiency, and more effective patient education."

IMHO, clear parasites who are part of an unregulated industry trying to save their largely useless jobs by conning the public into believing they have value to them and adding confusion to the personal trainer/athletic trainer distinction (if there is one, really).

But one look at their selling points reveals that they are selling services to make docs, and themselves, richer.

"According to NATA, a time-to-task study showed that athletic trainers working as physician extenders increased the efficacy of the physician offices by 12 patients per day. In their growing role as physician extenders, athletic trainers help not only hospitals, but also clinics and physician offices, achieve the following:

- Time savings - Athletic trainers help move patients faster through the appointment and treatment process.

- Patient satisfaction - Patients like the personal care and attention that athletic trainers provide.

- Hitting revenue goals - Athletic training services are reimbursable by many insurance companies, and services are either directly billed or billed incident-to physician services; and with an average salary of $48,179, they are competitive with other health care professionals.

- Increase physician productivity and efficiency - allowing the office to treat more patients in the same amount of time.

- Bolster patient education - Understanding their path to recovery helps put patients' minds at ease."

BTW,they are not "health care professionals."

"National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) - Health Care for Life & Sport: Athletic trainers are unique health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses."

They are persons apparently practicing medicine without a license.

Not dissimilar to Oprah, Bob Greene and Jorge Cruise, more IMHO crooks.