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Advanced Tracks*

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024

Six-Hour Advanced Tracks

AT1: Management of Acute Skin Trauma: Evidence & Integration Into Clinical Practice (I, II, IV), Advanced

Joel Beam, EdD, LAT, ATC, University of North Florida 

Bernadette Buckley, PhD, LAT, ATC, University of North Florida  

Brandon Harthan, PA-C, LAT, ATC, Children’s Hospital New Orleans

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
$150.00

Limited seats available  

Acute skin trauma (e.g., abrasions, avulsions, blisters, lacerations, punctures, traumatic and postoperative incisions) is common among athletes in all sports, and athletic trainers have the primary responsibility for the treatment of these injuries. Inappropriate wound management can result in delayed healing, cross-contamination, bacterial colonization and the infection adversely affecting the overall health and playing status of the patient. The use of appropriate cleansing, debridement, dressing and closure interventions can create an optimal environment for healing and lessen the risk of complications. While other health care professions, organizations and facilities have developed clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute skin trauma, guidelines for ATs have been sparse. As a result, many ATs base treatment intervention decisions on ritualistic practices or anecdotal evidence. The NATA position statement on acute skin trauma provides evidence-based recommendations for ATs to guide treatment interventions. The purpose of this workshop is to educate ATs on evidence-based recommendations for the cleansing, debridement, dressing and closure of acute skin trauma among patients. Participants will also receive recommendations on assessment, management plans, adverse reactions and monitoring as well as education for patients who have suffered acute skin trauma. 

At the end of the Advanced Track, attendees will be able to:

  • Explain the purposes and goals of cleansing, debridement, dressing and closure techniques for the management of acute skin trauma.
  • Identify the evidence-based cleansing, debridement, dressing and closure techniques used for the management of acute skin trauma.
  • Explain best practice guidelines for patient assessment, daily monitoring and education for the management of acute skin trauma.

AT2: Sports Science: From Risk Mitigation to Return to Performance and Everything In-Between: Leveraging Sports Science to Enhance Your Practice (I, IV, V), (BSC-O: I, II), Advanced

Sue Falsone, PT, SCS, ATC

Adam Annaccone, EdD, ATC, CES

Mark Coberley MS, LAT, ATC

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
$150.00

Sports science has become common practice in professional and major collegiate sports settings. Most programs are looking for a performance edge, and sports science is widely accepted as the information pipeline to assist in this endeavor. Sports science literature, while still in its infancy, has shown that performance and medicine can no longer rely on subjectivity. Objective measures must be the guiding principle. Based on work conducted by the NATA Taskforce on Sports Science, Health and Data Analytics, many ATs are unaware of their role in relation to sports science, while also acknowledging ATs must recognize and embrace the impact outcomes data has on return-to-play decisions, rehabilitative program design, player availability and limiting injury incidence and severity. Therefore, the purpose of this workshop is to provide an overview of current sports science strategies utilized within the professional and collegiate sport environment. The science behind various assessments and clinical application of the findings will be discussed. 

At the end of the Advanced Track, attendees will be able to: 

  • Advocate for organizational models that highlight the skills of athletic trainers while being conducive for the implementation of sports science.
  • Recognize how sports science data can enhance athletic training practice relative to identifying injury trends, anatomical asymmetries and potential elevated risk of injury.
  • Analyze findings of objective and qualitative measures to create a plan of care to improve patient/client outcomes.
  • Summarize and communicate objective and qualitative data to improve patient/client outcomes and health literacy.

*Subject to change.

Blended Six-Hour Advanced Tracks

 Two hours asynchronous preconvention work, four hours on-site

AT3: Advanced Instrument Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization Techniques for the Extremities: Helping Your Patients Reach Their Goals (I, II, IV, V), Advanced

Aric Warren, ATC, Oklahoma State University 

Phil Vardiman, ATC, Kansas State University 

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$150.00

This workshop is offered as a blended format where participants will complete a review of essential fundamental content online that will prepare them for advanced techniques during the on-site portion of the workshop. The in-person content will have a strong focus on skill development and proficient use of instruments to mobilize soft tissue in the extremities. 

At the end of the Advanced Track, attendees will be able to: 

  • Explain the indications and contraindications for using instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM).
  • Identify the need for using IASTM using current evidence.
  • Apply advanced IASTM techniques on the extremities. 
  • Select appropriate IASTM application techniques when treating the upper and lower extremities.

AT4: Master Preceptor – LIVE (V), Advanced

Ashley Thrasher, EdD, LAT, ATC, Western Carolina University 

Eric Schwartz, DAT, LAT, ATC, Washington Township High School 

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
$150.00

Please note: This workshop serves as the third installment of the Master Preceptor Development. However, completion of Master Preceptor Level I and II is not mandatory for enrollment.

Clinical education experiences are vital to provide opportunities for athletic training students to gain authentic learning experiences, apply knowledge and skills, learn about the profession and develop excitement for the profession. Preceptors facilitate clinical education by providing guidance, supervision, education and evaluation; however, many aren’t formally trained as preceptors prior to assuming the role. While athletic training programs are responsible to provide preceptor development and training, the content and format is determined by individual programs. However, with the emergence of nationwide immersive clinical education sites, some preceptors may be precepting for multiple programs. As clinical education experiences evolve and the knowledge base expands, preceptors need continued development in fundamentals of serving as a preceptor. The recent Reshaping Athletic Training Education in the 21st Century document recommends support and preceptor development resources to enhance the clinical education experience.  

As a part of the Master Preceptor series hosted by the NATA Professional Education Committee, this workshop aims to affect health care delivery through enhancement of clinicians’ clinical skills. Attendees will learn the skills and value of simulation to enhance their own practice as well as facilitate clinician and student learning. The focused areas of learning will be on simulation, quality improvement, challenging conversations and various best practices of patient care. 

At the end of the Advanced Track, attendees will be able to:  

  • Develop strategies for conflict resolution and crucial conversations, including:
  • Recognizing the need for intervention.
  • Implementing appropriate intervention strategies.
  • Identifying effective communication strategies.
  • Designing an action plan to assist students in navigating conflict.
  • Develop standardized patient and simulation experiences.
  • Assess effectiveness of simulation experience
  • Synthesize and apply knowledge and skills learned in previous levels of Master Preceptor to standardized patient cases.
  • Collaborate with other preceptors and develop relationships for support and collaboration.

*Subject to change.

Four-Hour Advanced Tracks

AT5: Fascial Distortion Model for Musculoskeletal Injuries (II, IV), Advanced 

Brian Farr, MA, LAT, ATC, University of Texas at Austin  

Todd Capistrant, DO, American Fascial Distortion Model Association  

Kenneth Nakasone, DPT, ATC, American Fascial Distortion Model Association  

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
$120.00

The Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) is an anatomical perspective in which the underlying etiology of virtually every musculoskeletal injury – and many neurological and medical conditions – is considered to be comprised of one or more of six specific pathological alterations of the body’s connective tissues (fascial bands, ligaments, tendons, etc.). FDM is an effective method of interpreting the pathology of fascial injuries and their structural consequences. FDM adds a clinically significant component to the assessment and treatment of a wide range of acute, subacute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions through a specific manual therapy approach allowing a rapid return to participation. 

At the end of the Advanced Track, attendees will be able to: 

  • Identify the six types of connective tissue dysfunctions according to FDM. 
  • Describe indications, precautions and contraindications to using FDM and adhere to them in clinical practice. 
  • Integrate the appropriate selection of FDM techniques into the overall treatment strategy of musculoskeletal dysfunction. 
  • Incorporate the FDM as part of a multi-model approach to address musculoskeletal dysfunction. 
  • Recognize the common body language for the six types of fascial dysfunctions. 
  • Select and apply FDM techniques to improve patient outcomes associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction. 

AT6: The Science of Safeguarding Arms: Mitigating Injury Risk Through Comprehensive Clinical and Biomechanical Assessments of Overhead Athletes (I, II), Advanced 

Adam Rosen, PhD, ATC, University of Nebraska at Omaha 

Tyler Hamer, PhD,  New York Mets

Laura McDonald, PhD, ATC, CSCS, OGX Softball

Samuel J Wilkins, PhD, ATC, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Tomohiro Ide, MA, ATC, University of Nebraska at Omaha

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$120.00

Implementing evidence-based clinical and biomechanical assessments to assess injury risk profiles in overhead athletes are time-consuming, impractical and require an intimate knowledge of the underlying pathomechanics. This workshop will focus on the most relevant and important clinical and biomechanical measures to assess the risk injury in overhead athletes including whole body mechanics, range of motion, strength, scapular dynamics and diagnostic ultrasound, among others. This workshop with lab will also discuss practical ways to implement clinical and biomechanical assessments into clinical practice including overcoming barriers such as time commitments, coaching concerns and practicality. 

At the end of the Advanced Track, attendees will be able to: 

  • Acquire the ability to select the most useful and reliable measures to assess an overhead athlete’s risk of injury. 
  • Identify the most important clinical and biomechanical variables associated with a higher risk for elbow and shoulder injuries. 
  • Design evidence-based programs to assist in mitigating shoulder and elbow risk of injury in overhead athletes. 

*Subject to change.