The Delay of AT Professional Progression

Are athletic trainers delaying our professional progression due to the avoidance of embracing domain 5?

Often, clinical professionals are promoted or hired into leadership roles without the leadership training that would enable them to succeed. Instead, they typically are given leadership roles because of accomplishments in their professional careers. However, the skills needed to be an effective clinical professional differ from the skills needed to be an effective leader. Therefore, having success as a clinical professional is not indicative of having success as a healthcare leader.

The specific problem is that clinical professionals have not been prepared to be effective healthcare leaders. Typically, they do not receive management training during their professional training. Moreover, clinical professionals and healthcare leaders fill different roles in healthcare. Consequently, clinical professionals may not have the evidence-based knowledge of the specific leadership styles necessary for success in a leadership role.

Healthcare leadership is defined as “the ability to effectively and ethically influence others for the benefit of individual patients and populations”. A healthcare leader must effectively balance patient outcomes and organizational outcomes to be successful. The leadership style of a supervisor can influence an employee’s job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intention to quit.

Perez, Jessica DBA, PA-C. Leadership in Healthcare: Transitioning From Clinical Professional to Healthcare Leader. Journal of Healthcare Management. 2021:66(4) 280-302. DOI: 10.1097/JHM-D-20-00057

Shelby 7/2024