Professional Diploma in Athletic Training (PDipAT)
- The first and only program in athletic training in Hong Kong -
PDipAT aims to offer in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in athletic training. It's targeted to students who set themselves on a path to a rewarding athletic training career. Students will benefit from clinical experiences in collegiate athletes, clinics, professional or national sports teams and immersive overseas experiences.
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This Programme is currently seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) (note 1). Upon successful accreditation of the Programme by CAATE, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Board of certification (BOC) credentialing examination for athletic trainers, and will be eligible for licensure in United States.
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Note 1: The institution has submitted a self-study to begin the accreditation process in the 3rd quarter of 2024.
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Programme Features
What is Athletic Training?
Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. The development of athletic training is based on the following education competencies clinical proficiencies:
• Prevention and wellness
• Urgent and emergent care
• Therapeutic intervention
• Behavioral health
• Healthcare administration
• Professional development and responsibility
Who are Athletic Trainers?
Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training.  As a part of the health care team, ATs work in settings like colleges and universities, professional sports teams/ clubs, sports medicine clinics, corporate /industrial, and provide services include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
Why use Athletic Trainers?
Athletic trainers provide medical services to all types of patients, not just athletes participating in sports, and can work in a variety of job settings. Athletic trainers relieve widespread and future workforce shortages in primary care support and outpatient rehab professions and provide an unparalleled continuum of care for the patients.
Athletic trainers improve functional outcomes and specialise in patient education to prevent injury and re-injury. Through knowledge and hands-on skills, ATs facilitate the recovery process, and reduce patients’ healthcare costs in rehabilitation.
Athletic Training Education
Athletic training is an academic major or graduate equivalent major program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The current minimum entry point into the profession of athletic training is at the master’s level. Upon completion of a CAATE- accredited athletic training education program, students become eligible for certification in United States by successfully completing the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) examination.
More information can be found on the www.nata.org/about/athletic-training and www.hkata.org/what-is-athletic-trainer.