About ATLAS

About ATLAS: 

The Athletic Training Locations and Services (ATLAS) Project is a joint initiative of the Korey Stringer Institute and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association designed to track access to AT services, improve communication between athletic trainers and produce research for the advancement of the profession of Athletic Training in the secondary school setting. The project has created a real-time database with visualizations that map the level and type of AT services in secondary schools. Specifically, ATLAS aims to advance the following:

Communication Between AT and Healthcare Delivery: The maps provide for quick access to information about other schools. It also serves as a vehicle for ATs to improve the provision of healthcare of secondary school athletes.

Strategic State Initiatives: Via the annual ATLAS reports and specific data requests, state leaders (e.g. athletic training associations, athletics associations, legislators) have the information at hand to address key strategic initiatives to advance the profession and improve the evidence-based best practice.

Advance Research in the Secondary School Setting: The database has the ability to track the changes in this setting and identify the areas associated with improved access to athletic training services and the delivery of healthcare to athletes.

The Value of the Secondary School AT: With a more thorough understanding of the services each AT provides, these data are being used to explore national trends and practices that can quantify the value that the SS AT provide which in turn may improve monetary compensation for services.

 

HOW ATLAS WORKS:

  • The success of the ATLAS Project hinges upon the bi-annual (every other year) participation of the secondary school AT (ideally between August 1st and June 1st of the academic year).
  • In order for KSI to continue to provide up-to-date data to NATA national, district and state leadership we need the assistance of each and every AT working in the secondary school setting. To that point, KSI and the NATA strive to continue to provide states with the real-time data that they need so that progress is not hindered, key areas related to clinical practice are improved, and the health and safety needs of the student athlete are met.
  • Each year KSI will releases the Annual ATLAS Report which is meant to provide accurate information to leaders, researchers, clinicians and the general public so that we may improve the level of care being provided in this setting.

 

“The extent of the ATLAS Project’s survey and database are endless. There is no telling where these data might take the profession from a healthcare delivery and value added perspective. Right now we have a pulse on the status of the Athletic Trainer in secondary schools on a national scale and we need to maintain this momentum. This project can change the landscape of athletic training.”- Robert A. Huggins, PhD, LAT