In episode 11, we discussed National Athletic Training Month and the general effectiveness of awareness campaigns. We took a critical look at the intent of these campaigns and the information suggested there may be more of a monetary or organizationally selfish implication to them than we first assumed. If you’d like to listen to the full podcast, it can be found on iTunes or Soundcloud.

March is National Athletic Training Month, which is an awareness month that the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) started 16 years ago. According to NATA, the mission is to “spread awareness about all that athletic trainers do.” The authenticity of this mission can be questioned and we do. An example would be the social media contests NATA holds where the winner gets a gift certificate to the NATA store. One of the requirements, however, is that one needs to be an NATA member ($200+/ year) to have access to these materials and compete in the contests. In our view, that seems a bit self serving.

Awareness is defined as having knowledge, being conscious, informed. With that said, our opinion is that the emphasis should be placed on education focused on who athletic trainers are and what we do. While changing your Facebook profile pic to the NATM logo shows your pride, it stops short of actually spreading awareness about your profession. Part of the problem is that if only ATs are active during NATM, it can be like preaching to the choir. We don’t need increased awareness about ourselves, we need stakeholders and the public to become more aware. So, what is NATM actually doing then?

1. It unites the profession and rallies the congregation. If for only one month, we set aside our opinions on professional attire and look past the differences we have with the AT in another setting.  We stand together as a united front in the support and awareness of our profession.
2. It makes us active. For the AT who has lost steam heading into spring season or is otherwise disinterested in national efforts, they put in at least minimal efforts to change their facebook profile pic.
3. We have concentrated efforts. For 31 of the 365 days in the year, we all have one cause, which is to spread awareness. And though it can be argued the NATA could do much more with their resources during this month, at least they support the efforts of the nation in this awareness campaign.

So then, what responsibility do we have as athletic trainers during this month?

1. If you are able to do nothing else, say thank you and show appreciation. Hug your colleague, post something on social media, or treat yourself to some positive self talk about all the hard work you do.
2. Educate stakeholders & the public. Inform, instruct, or teach someone new about what you do. Talk to that begrudged family member who thinks you’re a glorified water girl to educate them about what you actually do.
3. Get active with your government. Policy makers are the ones who most effect the profession of athletic training. Try to get in front of them to increase their knowledge of what you do; that way the next time a bill comes across their desk to eliminate your position, they will know how important you are.
4. Stay united. There may actually be value in changing your facebook profile pic, if for no other reason than to show support. Encourage and support the efforts of your peers.

We encourage you to focus on actually spreading awareness during this month and here are some suggestions on how to accomplish that:

• Have conversations with people outside of the profession and educate them on what it is that you do.
• Wear a pin or ribbon throughout the month that would incite conversation with people you come into contact with.
• Use your social media accounts to post updates about what an AT does and how they benefit the community.
• Use the overlay we have created that anyone can place over their profile picture to show support of our profession and invoke questions about “what is national athletic training month” or “what is an athletic trainer?”

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