Minnesota bill would set rules for athletic trainers treating patients

The proposal defines athletic training to include injury prevention, emergency care, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and related care. The definition covers urgent, short-term, and ongoing injuries, as well as health conditions beyond bone and joint problems. Trainers must act within their training and experience. They would work under a Minnesota physician’s direction, prescription, or collaboration, using protocols set by that physician.

The proposal describes care athletic trainers may provide to patients and sets a limit on care without a prior diagnosis. These provisions refer to patients, rather than only athletes with athletic injuries. At the trainer’s main work site, a patient without a prior diagnosis may be evaluated and treated for up to 30 days from the first evaluation and treatment. That limit does not apply when the patient is referred by a listed licensed professional in good standing. Prevention, wellness, education, exercise, and reconditioning do not count as treatment. Trainers must use treatments within their training and experience. The 30-day period starts on the date of the patient’s first evaluation and treatment.

The proposal requires trainers to refer patients whose conditions are outside their scope and to change or stop care that is not beneficial or tolerated. These rules apply when a trainer determines that a patient’s condition is outside the trainer’s scope or when the trainer provides physical therapy services. Referral options include Minnesota-licensed professionals in medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, podiatry, or dentistry whose licenses are in good standing. Trainers may not practice or claim to practice another licensed health profession unless they hold its license or registration. When athletic trainers provide or represent a service as physical therapy in a clinical, corporate, or physical therapy setting, they may work only under a physical therapist’s direct supervision.

The proposal exempts certain athletic trainers from Minnesota’s athletic-training rules while they are temporarily in the state for specified sporting events. The exemption applies to visiting athletic trainers accompanying an event participant or group. The trainer must be temporarily in Minnesota with an individual or group taking part in a specific athletic event or series of events. The trainer must be licensed, certified, or registered elsewhere, or certified by the Board of Certification or its recognized successor. The exemption applies while the trainer is temporarily in Minnesota for the event or events.