ATEP Matrix
HPS 331 – Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries Competencies: 2012-2013
Prevention and Health Promotion: General Principles
1. Describe the concepts (eg, case definitions, incidence versus prevalence, exposure
assessment, rates) and uses of injury and illness surveillance relevant to athletic training.
2. Identify and describe the measures used to monitor injury prevention strategies(eg, injury
rates and risk, relative risks, odds ratios, risk differences, numbers needed to treat/harm).
3. Identify modifiable/non-modifiable risk factors and mechanisms for injury and illness.
4. Explain how the effectiveness of a prevention strategy can be assessed using clinical
outcomes, surveillance, or evaluation data.
5. Summarize the epidemiology data related to the risk of injury and illness associated
with participation in physical activity.
Prevention and Health Promotion: Prevention Strategies and Procedures
1. Identify the necessary components to include in a pre-participation physical examination
as recommended by contemporary guidelines (e. g. American Heart Association,
American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine & Fitness).
2. Explain the role of the pre-participation physical exam in identifying conditions that
might predispose the athlete to injury or illness.
Clinical Examination and Diagnosis:
1. Identify functional and patient-centered quality of life outcome measures appropriate for
use in athletic training practice.
2. Recognize the signs and symptoms of catastrophic and emergent conditions and
demonstrate appropriate referral decisions.
3. Describe current setting-specific (eg, high school, college) and activity-specific rules and
guidelines for managing injuries and illnesses.
Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses: Planning
1. Explain the legal, moral, and ethical parameters that define the athletic trainer’s scope of
acute and emergency care.
2. Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the athletic trainer from other pre-hospital
care and hospital-based providers, including emergency medical technicians/ paramedics,
nurses, physician assistants, and physicians.
3. Describe the hospital trauma level system and its role in the transportation decisionmaking process.
Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses: Education
1. Instruct the patient in home care and self-treatment plans for acute conditions.
Psychological Strategies and Referral: Theoretical Background
1. Describe the basic principles of personality traits, trait anxiety, locus of control, intrinsic
and extrinsic motivation, and patient and social environment interactions as they affect
patient interactions.
2. Describe how psychosocial considerations affect clinical decision-making related to
return to activity or participation (e. g. motivation, confidence).
3. Summarize and demonstrate the basic processes of effective interpersonal and crosscultural communication as it relates to interactions with patients and others involved in
the healthcare of the patient.
4. Summarize contemporary theory regarding educating patients of all ages and cultural
backgrounds to effect behavioral change.
Psychological Strategies and Referral: Psychosocial Strategies
1. Explain the importance of educating patients, parents/guardians, and others regarding the
condition in order to enhance the psychological and emotional well-being of the patient.
Professional Development and Responsibility:
1. Specify when referral of a client/patient to another healthcare provider is warranted and
formulate and implement strategies to facilitate that referral.
Clinical Integration Proficiency:
1. Demonstrate the ability to recognize and refer at-risk individuals and individuals with
psychosocial disorders and/or mental health emergencies. As a member of the
management team, develop an appropriate management plan (including
recommendations for patient safety and activity status) that establishes a professional
helping relationship with the patient, ensures interactive support and education, and
encourages the athletic trainer's role of informed patient advocate in a manner consistent
with current practice guidelines.