Factors that May Influence the Response to Critical Incidents and Biopsychosocial Elements of Self-Care for the Athletic Trainer

THIS PRESENTATION IS A REPLAY FROM NATA 2022 IN PHILADELPHIA, OFFERING A SECOND CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE EVENT'S VALUABLE CONTENT AND INSIGHTS.

Abstract:
The athletic trainer is involved in critical incidents (e.g., emergencies occurring to athletes or patients) throughout their career. The psychological response by the athletic trainer to a critical incident is a vital concern in navigating the aftermath of the incident, and may well influence their overall well-being and retention in the athletic training profession. Two areas for consideration in the aftermath of a critical incident for the athletic trainer are compassion fatigue and burnout that may exacerbate their response to a critical incident, and the biopsychosocial elements of self-care. This presentation will address the issues that may affect the athletic trainer’s response to a critical incident and offer biopsychosocial considerations to enhance their hardiness and well-being.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to describe the prevalence of mental health disorders and their influence on the response to critical incidents.
  • Participants will recognize compassion fatigue as it relates to athletic training practice and burnout.
  • Participants will be able to implement the biopsychosocial elements of self-care to themselves and others to prevent burnout.

Level:
Essential

Domains:
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy
Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis
Domain 3: Critical Incident Management
Domain 5: Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

Keywords: compassion fatigue; burnout; hardiness, critical incident, psychological, biopsychosocial, mental health, self-care

Timothy Neal, MS, ATC, CCISM

Tim is an athletic trainer, and a member of the NATA Hall of Fame who currently serves as an Assistant professor and the director of the athletic training program at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He previously spent 35 years as a clinical athletic trainer and adjunct professor at Syracuse University and has been named a NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer. Tim has chaired NATA Inter-Association Consensus Statements on psychological concerns in student-athletes, and served on the writing group for the 2014 NATA Position Statement on Pre Participation Physical Examinations and Medically Disqualifying Conditions. He has also been a NATA Liaison to the NCAA football rules committee, a member of the NCAA task forces on student-athlete mental health and wellness, sleep and wellness and is the immediate past chair of the NATA Committee on Professional Ethics. Tim is a founding member of the NATA ATs Care Committee, and a member of the NATA Professional Responsibility in Athletic Training Committee. He has dozens of articles in peer and non-peer reviewed journals, and has presented to numerous audiences on various sports medicine, ethical, and risk management topics. He earned his Master's degree at Syracuse University, and his Bachelor's degree from Ohio University.

Mark Cairns, LAT, ATC, PRT, CCISM

I have been accredited as a PRT through the Postural Restoration Institute. This means that I have studied a great deal on the role the pelvis and spine and trunk on patho-mechanical relationships in the body creating patterns that cause pain, injury, etc. in the body. My objectives include helping my patients return to normal active daily living with pain, and to have a role in some organization to help athletic individuals achieve their goals.

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