Presentation Description: It is well-established that musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are common amongst first responders and can contribute to lost duty time, high workers' compensation costs, and a reduced capacity to conduct occupational tasks safely and effectively. First responders typically receive care for MSIs through a workers' compensation system. However, direct access to healthcare providers, such as athletic trainers or physical therapists, is an emerging healthcare model implemented in a variety of occupational and tactical settings. This session will explore the current research and practice of direct access care models in tactical first responder populations.
Methodology: The presenters will use PowerPoint during their interactive presentation. Presentation information has been collected from consultation and collaboration with local, regional, state, and federal agencies and partnerships. Presenters will provide research, data, and practical examples to support the findings. The end of the session will solicit audience interactions to center the discussion on best practices participants use in their agencies.
- Compare the benefits and challenges of the direct access care model with the traditional workers' compensation system.
- Identify the facilitators and barriers to adopting the direct access care model and corresponding strategies for implementation.
- Apply current research findings to participants' agency practices.
Susannah Reiner
Postdoctoral Scholar
University of Kentucky
Dr. Susie Reiner, PhD is an industry and academic research scientist, writer, and educator. She is currently a Postdoctoral Scholar with the Sports Medicine Research Institute at the University of Kentucky. She holds her Ph.D. in Health Sciences specializing in Human and Sport Performance and her Master’s of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. She maintains the credentials of ACSM Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist, NSCA Personal Trainer, and NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist. Her research interests include tactical strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, and health behavior change.
Mark Abel
Professor, Director of the First Responder Research Laboratory
University of Kentucky
Mark Abel, PhD, CSCS*D, TSAC-F*D, is a Professor and Director of the First Responder Research Laboratory at the University of Kentucky. He serves as a Researcher for the Police Research Center (ICPOL) for the Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Internal Security in Lisbon, Portugal and Adjunct Research
Fellow at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and Georgia Southern University. Abel conducts research to enhance the safety, health, and readiness of firefighters and law enforcement officers. Additionally, he has served as a firefighter. He received the National Strength and Conditioning
Association’s (NSCA) Tactical Strength and Conditioning Practitioner of the Year Award. He served as an inaugural member of the NSCA’s Tactical Strength and Conditioning–Facilitator® (TSAC-F®) Certification Exam Development Committee and Chaired the TSAC Special Interest Group (SIG). He serves as a contributor and reviewer for the TSAC Report. Abel owns Tactical Fitness Institute, LLC which develops legally defensible physical ability standards for fire departments and law enforcement agencies.
Phillip Gribble
Professor, Department Chair of Athletic Training
University of Kentucky
Phillip Gribble, Ph.D., ATC, FNATA, is a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Kentucky, and is affiliated with the UK Sports Medicine Research Institute. His research interests have focused on understanding the neuromuscular consequences of ankle and knee injuries and developing intervention strategies to alleviate the health care burden from these injuries. He is currently funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) to study consequences and management of musculoskeletal injuries in tactical populations such as military and fire fighters.
Nicholas Heebner
Associate Professor, Director, Sports Medicine Research Institute
University of Kentucky
Dr. Heebner, PhD, ATC is an Athletic Trainer and Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky in the department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition. He is also the Director of the University of Kentucky's Sports Medicine Research Institute. Dr Heebner's research interests have primarily focused on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and resiliency among tactical and competitive athletes. He is currently funded through various mechanisms under the Department of Defense, NIOSH, and FEMA to examine strategies to improve health, return to duty following injury, and occupational performance in military and first responders.
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