; §For complete list of contributors, see information below.Professional preparation in athletic training has grown from modest roots based in physical education in the 1960s to its emergence as a recognized health profession today. The profession has long embraced interprofessional practice (IPP), but many times has not been included in discussions held at the institutional, governmental, and international levels. As a result, the concept of interprofessional education (IPE), which has been an emphasis in medicine, nursing, and allied health since the 1990s, has not been a part of most athletic training programs. Investigations into IPE and IPP in athletic training have found that the concepts were misunderstood by athletic training educators because of a lack of common language and appreciation for their role in the future of health care. In 2012, the National Athletic Trainers' Association Executive Committee for Education authored ''Future Directions in Athletic Training'' to make recommendations regarding the evolution and promotion of IPE in athletic training. A primary part of this strategy was to develop a paper regarding IPE and IPP in athletic training to provide the profession and other stakeholders with background information and present model pedagogy that could be implemented in professional athletic training programs. The resulting document was created using a structured process that included a work group of authors from a wide range of settings.

Athletic trainers (ATs) are healthcare providers who work in collaboration with physicians, nurses, physical therapists and others to provide care to physically active individuals. Founded in 1950, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) represents certified ATs and other individuals who support the athletic training profession. The Board of Certification (BOC) has the only accredited certification program for ATs in USA. It establishes and regularly reviews both the standards for the practice of athletic training and the continuing education requirements for certified ATs. In order to attain certification, candidates must demonstrate successful completion of either a bachelor's degree or master's degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and pass the BOC certification exam. Currently, there are ∼42 000 ATs practicing in USA, with 48 states who regulate their practice. The purpose of this article is to provide a background for the profession of athletic training as well as describe and discuss the importance of including ATs in interprofessional education and practice initiatives.

No abstract