Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion -
Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program promote wellness by assessing patients and external environments, and by developing and implementing plans to reduce risks and prevent injury and illness. They also provide effective education on the proper use of equipment, risk reduction, and healthy and safe behaviors in a variety of patient care environments.

• Identify risk factors by administering preparticipation examinations, utilizing various screening instruments, while reviewing individual/group history and injury surveillance data.
• Develop plans to reduce risk using currently accepted and applicable guidelines.
• Educate individuals and stakeholders about the appropriate use of personal equipment.
• Minimize the risk of injury and illness by monitoring and implementing plans that promote safe physical environments and the proper use of equipment.
• Determine methods for individual and group safety by monitoring and responding to environmental conditions.
• Develop holistic plans to promote wellness across the biopsychosocial spectrum for individuals and groups involved in physical activity

Examination, Assessment, and Diagnosis -
Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program incorporate evidence-based practice into the examination, assessment, and diagnosis of patients to formulate appropriate plans of care, clinical decisions, and appropriate referral strategies. All of this is founded in the International Classification of Functioning and Disability, as defined and created by the World Health Organization.

• Obtain an individual’s history through observation, interview, and review of relevant records to assess injuries and illnesses and to identify comorbidities.
• Perform a physical examination that includes diagnostic testing to formulate differential diagnoses.
• Determine a clinical diagnosis and plan of care by the interpretation of a medical history and the physical examination.
• Interpret signs and symptoms of injuries, illnesses, or other conditions that require referral, utilizing medical history and physical examination to ensure appropriate care.
• Educate patients and appropriate stakeholders about clinical findings, prognosis, and plan of care to optimize outcomes and encourage compliance.

Immediate and Emergency Care -
Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program apply best practices in the provision of acute care and the implementation of emergency action plans in emergent situations to optimize patient outcomes. Graduates will determine the appropriate referral strategy based on problems identified by the primary and secondary surveys.

• Develop emergency action plans to guide appropriate and unified response to events and optimize outcomes.
• Triage to determine if conditions, injuries, or illnesses are life-threatening in individual patients and mass casualty situations.
• Implement appropriate emergency and immediate care procedures to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality.
• Implement referral strategies to facilitate the timely transfer of care.

Therapeutic Intervention -
Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program work to restore patients to optimal health through the development and management of evidence-based, rehabilitative plans of care that incorporate a variety of appropriate therapeutic interventions and approaches based on patient needs. Graduates will be able to analyze and appraise pharmacologic agents used to treat, mitigate or diagnose injuries and illnesses in various populations that are active.

• Develop, evaluate, and update a plan of care to optimize patient outcomes.
• Educate patients and appropriate stakeholders to optimize treatment and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Administer therapeutic exercises and manual therapy techniques to patients to aid recovery to optimal function.
• Administer therapeutic devices to patients to aid recovery to optimal function.
• Prescribe therapeutic interventions for general medical conditions to aid recovery to optimal function.
• Determine patients’ functional status using appropriate techniques and standards to return to optimal activity level.

Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility -
Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program apply all applicable legal and professional standards of practice in the provision of patient care. Graduates also use organizational data to assess needs and formulate and implement strategies and tactics to promote positive organizational outcomes. Graduates will also use injury surveillance systems and epidemiologic data to identify group and individual problems.

• Evaluate organizational and stakeholder outcomes.
• Develop policies, procedures, and strategies to address risks and meet organizational needs.
• Apply professional and ethical standards of practice in the provision of patient care.
• Correctly document information to ensure quality patient care and outcomes.
• Evaluate personal professional outcomes.