To promote individual health and well-being and advance population health, NATA and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) have announced a commitment to greater collaboration in a joint statement released Dec. 19. The statement outlines how both organizations can work together to advance patient care and encourages members of the two organizations as well as stakeholders to do the same.
This new collaboration came out of a meeting held by the two organizations Nov. 20 in Park Ridge, Illinois. The meeting was attended by NATA President Tory Lindley, MA, ATC, APTA President Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, NATA leadership staff and representatives from state athletic training and physical therapy associations. The statement calls for collaboration around legislative efforts, public relations initiatives and inter-professional practice among other areas.
“NATA and APTA share a commitment to patient care,” Lindley said. “Our organizations have an opportunity to work collaboratively to advance patient-centered care as well as overall population health. This statement reflects an important first step toward exploring opportunities to work together for the benefit of our members and most importantly, the patients we serve.”
"APTA and NATA share the belief that quality health care is becoming increasingly collaborative and it’s in the best interest of our patients and clients, and our members, to work together when possible," Dunn said. "The fact that APTA and NATA already share members is a sign that we have common interests. This statement affirms our mutual interest in exploring activities that jointly advance our common goals."
Read the statement in its entirety.
