May 31, 2022
DAT Life Moment | Kendall M.
When first starting out as an AT, one of the things that was apparent to me was the number of people who vaguely knew what we did but were unable to differentiate us from other healthcare professionals.
While I had always planned on obtaining a terminal degree, I noticed a shift in how patients and parents interacted with me after learning that I was pursuing my DAT. Time and time again, as I explained that my goal was simply to provide better patient care and expand my capabilities as a clinician, I received more trust and respect from those around me.
With each passing block, I enjoyed bringing the content I learned in the classroom directly to my patients and being able to better explain not just their injury but relate how my chosen interventions would improve their on-field performance and overall health and well-being.
It's inspiring to see how much my clinical practice has changed throughout this process and I now feel as though I have the tools to advocate for not just myself, but my patients and the larger AT community.