Does the Joint Statement mean that APTA chapters may not oppose state legislation that would allow athletic trainers to treat non-athletes?
No. The Joint Statement explicitly recognizes the right of APTA to “conduct all lawful activities, and make all lawful statements” and the right of APTA and its members to express their opinions “about others.” APTA will continue to advocate forcefully and effectively to protect the interests of its members and the public. 5. Under the heading “The Professions” didn’t APTA agree to numerous statements about athletic trainers, including the claim that they “serve patients through injury and illness prevention, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, appropriate interventions, management, and treatment of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions, and rehabilitation”? No. The section headed “The Professions” is what NATA says about its members, not what APTA says. Note that the section has two bullets. The one describing athletic trainers begins, “NATA states,” and the one describing physical therapists begins, “APTA states.
