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Saw a recent article in the Connecticut Examiner that reports on a politician, State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, who is spearheading legislation to establish a task force dedicated to addressing the issue of an Athletic Trainer "shortage".
The representative recognizes that Athletic Trainers are "the first line of defense" for student athletes and emphasizes their critical role in providing immediate healthcare at sporting events:
“Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals, and we need to increase their presence at sporting events for injury prevention and medical emergencies.”
Klarides-Ditria has 23 years of experience as an Athletic Trainer at Lauralton Hall.
The proposed task force, expected to be approved by both the state House and Senate within two weeks, would explore not only the current shortage but also strategies for recruiting more Athletic Trainers. The task force would comprise lawmakers, higher education faculty, an orthopedic surgeon, and a high school athletic director, among others.
The necessity of this initiative is highlighted by the approximately 700 licensed Athletic Trainers currently in Connecticut, a number Klarides-Ditria believes is insufficient given the demands across high schools, colleges, and even local businesses and police departments.
Support for the proposal spans both parties and various sectors, with State Reps. Liz Linehan and Tom O’Dea voicing strong endorsements. Linehan has previously advocated for measures to tackle youth sports injuries, while O’Dea, involved in New Canaan Youth Football, underscores the safety benefits athletic trainers bring to sports programs.
“Having Athletic Trainers available are extremely helpful to the [sports] program."
The discussion extends beyond just legislative approval; it touches on the practical aspects of the profession, including compensation and work hours.
Steve Straub, president of the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association, points out the challenges of the job, such as non-traditional hours and high turnover rates, driven by Athletic Trainers moving to "better-paying positions".
This legislative effort, however, seems like a positive, on the surface, but it also seems like it could be an expensive waste of time. Task forces are never cheap and can take a long time. Even Klarides-Ditria admits that more ATs are needed. In other news, the sky is blue. Is a task force necessary? Or should that money be spent on increasing pay for existing Athletic Trainers who are there now?
The effort seems to be a great way for those in charge to say, "Hey, look! We're doing something! Even though we already know what the results will be! But we won't have to do anything about it for a while... "
Here's the article link.
