To follow-up to Dr. Merrick's comments,

Well said!

We too at LSU have never made it "optional"....the only option would be
if we have a student or two completing an internship during this time
with an NFL team or other athletic training-related internship.

We are finishing up our week of in-services tomorrow and then start-up
with August pre-season days for various clinical sites. One thing we
have been very proactive in this week has been infusing the older
students into the "educator" role, where they have been lead instructors
with reviewing therapeutic modalities, emergency care protocols, etc.,
that have been traditionally conducted solely by staff members. With
the newer format of having the staff start off a particular in-service
component and the older student stepping up into a limited teaching role
it has furthered our students' ownership of their education and the
knowledge/understanding of concepts. Combined with the interaction that
our students have with our local EMS personnel who come in to review
spine-board protocols, physician-lead in-services, etc., it has
continued each year to evolve into a more productive and meaningful
experience for both students and staff.

It really erks me that some have fallen into the proverbial entitlement
"pool", by which I mean that students should not have to do this or that
because their peers are not doing so. We have to keep in mind that the
ATEPs are for the students, but not for the students to run as they
feel.

To reiterate Dr. Merrick's comments, these types of experiences should
NOT BE optional, but again you have to have everyone on board of the
educational value of the experiences, and then also back up the "value"
through demonstration and action.

It's late so I won't join Dr. Merrick on his bandwagon, but will save it
for another day!

Good luck to all this year!

Ray


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Ray Castle, PhD, ATC, LAT
Assistant Professor - Professional Practice
Director - Concentration in Athletic Training
Louisiana State University <http://lsu.edu/>
Department of Kinesiology <http://lsu.edu/kinesiology>
112 Huey P. Long Fieldhouse
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
O# 225.578.7175
F# 225.578.3680



The Concentration in Athletic Training is accredited by the

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
<http://www.caate.net/>

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