With NATM 2022 kicking off tomorrow, we’re excited to discuss one of our favorite topics and a pillar of our business…ADVOCACY!
It’s important to know how advocacy applies to athletic trainers in order to effectively create change in our environment or for the profession at large so let’s dive in.
Athletic Trainers have been taught that advocacy is an advanced form of awareness and action, without being given the tools to start with self. We face issues with perception, lack of buy-in, and resources necessary to successfully advocate for ourselves or change.
Without proper education or a functional roadmap, Athletic Trainers will never be able to effectively create change in their environment or for the profession at large. Advocacy for the profession takes many shapes:
- Educating the general public
- Public sector and private sector
- Participating in the legislative process
- Promoting the need for athletic trainers
It’s also important for you to know what advocacy means to YOU as an individual.
We did a poll on our Instagram stories a while back asking this question and the answers varied from “fighting for increased pay” to “standing up for what you believe in” and “educating others on the value athletic trainers provide.” Advocacy can look different from person to person so it’s important that you get clear on what it means to you so you can be aware and take action.
If you’re unsure what advocacy really means, intimidated by the idea of it, or don’t have resources to rely on for confident approaches know this: it’s not just about resources, it’s about mindset!
To take it a step further, let’s talk through the 3 types of advocacy:
- Self-advocacy: an individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate, or assert his or his interests desires, needs & rights
- Individual (other): A person or group of people concentrate their efforts on just one or two individuals
- Systems: Focuses on changing policies, laws, or rules that impact how someone lives their life
So we’d like to ask: what type of advocacy best applies to you and your setting and how will you prioritize it this NATM? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
