The Evolution of the Athletic Training Profession

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Eleni Diakogeorgiou ◽  
R. Richard Ray ◽  
Sara Brown ◽  
Jay Hertel ◽  
Douglas J. Casa
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Critical Component ◽  
Current State

Athletic training is a health care profession with roots in athletics and kinesiology that has evolved into a critical component of contemporary sports medicine. The aim of this article is to review the history and evolution of the athletic training profession, contextualize the current state of athletic training education and research, and address priorities and challenges that the athletic training profession must confront if it is to continue to thrive. Specific challenges include addressing health disparities in sports medicine, increasing the diversity of the athletic training profession, clearly delineating athletic training’s place in the health care arena, and increasing salaries and retention of athletic trainers in the profession.

scholarly journals Social Determinants of Health: Considerations for Athletic Health Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey J. Picha ◽  
Cailee E. Welch Bacon ◽  
Clinton Normore ◽  
Alison R. Snyder Valier
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
Social Inequities

ABSTRACT Health disparities are prevalent issues in the United States and a frequent topic of conversation in the public health realm. Causes of health disparities include social inequities and social determinants of health. Although social determinants of health have been suggested to contribute more to individual and population health than the health care provided, this concept in athletic health care has received little attention. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to describe social determinants of health, present examples of social determinants, and discuss awareness of actionable steps for the athletic training profession to be more culturally proficient. By increasing awareness of and acknowledging social determinants of health, athletic trainers will be positioned to improve patient outcomes more readily and contribute to ongoing conversations at the policy level of health care.

scholarly journals Commentary: Integrating Diagnostic Ultrasound into Athletic Training Education Programs

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellie C. Huxel Bliven ◽  
Barton E. Anderson ◽  
Inder Raj S. Makin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Diagnostic Ultrasound ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Physical Exam ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Knowledge And Skills

Context: The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly becoming a standard of care for sports medicine and orthopedic physicians. As such, there will be increased demand for athletic trainers to have knowledge and skills in diagnostic ultrasound. Objective: To provide key considerations for integration of diagnostic ultrasound into athletic training education and address challenges and barriers to such integration. Background: Advancements in designing portable, user-friendly ultrasound units have enabled clinicians to perform POCUS as an adjunct to the physical exam, resulting in improved patient care. Increased demands for POCUS across medicine have prompted medical schools to integrate diagnostic ultrasound throughout the curriculum, providing athletic training education programs a framework to consider within their curriculum. Synthesis: Integrating diagnostic ultrasound throughout the curriculum provides focused experiences to prepare, conduct, and link imaging to clinical and physical exam skills. Diagnostic ultrasound has a role in visualizing structures in an anatomy course, as an adjunct to physical exam in medical conditions, orthopedic exam, and diagnosis courses, and as a visual feedback tool in rehabilitation courses, thus enabling it to be integrated throughout existing curriculum. Barriers to diagnostic ultrasound include cost, time, and faculty expertise. Results: Cost sharing or use of ultrasound simulators can overcome cost barriers. Use of online educational modules to deliver content virtually is effective and allows face-to-face time to be spent in hands-on experiential learning. Finally, developing interprofessional partnerships to “teach the teacher” is an effective model in teaching faculty about diagnostic ultrasound. Recommendation(s): Educational programs should consider ways to overcome barriers and integrate diagnostic ultrasound into curriculum equipping future athletic trainers with knowledge and skills for POCUS, thus increasing their effectiveness on a health care team. Conclusion(s): Proactive integration of diagnostic ultrasound into athletic training education will equip graduates to add value to a health care team.

scholarly journals Educational Technique: Incorporating Social Determinants of Health Into Athletic Training Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-330
Author(s):  
Rhianna Freiburger ◽  
Kelsey J. Picha ◽  
Cailee E. Welch Bacon ◽  
Alison R. Snyder Valier
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Patient Centered

Context Social determinants of health (SDH) are reportedly more important in determining a patient's health status than the actual health care services provided. Given their role and unique clinical practice environment, athletic trainers will encounter patients who are influenced by SDH. It is important to educate future generations of athletic trainers on the importance of SDH to promote positive patient outcomes. Objective To detail a strategy for implementing concepts of SDH into athletic training education programs. Background A purposeful educational strategy that incorporates didactic concepts and clinical practice application of SDH for athletic training students is important to produce a deeper understanding of the role these factors play in populational health. Description Delivery methods such as presentation modules and learning activities are presented. Clinical Advantage(s) Integrating SDH through a tailored activity exposes students to the concepts of SDH and promotes observation and use in clinical practice. Awareness and recognition of how SDH support delivery of patient-centered care may promote patient and population health outcomes. Conclusion(s) The inclusion of SDH into athletic training education using lecture, observational learning, and reflective techniques can expose students to SDH in clinical practice and promote whole-person health care.

scholarly journals Educating Educators: Perceptions of Preceptors and Clinical Education Coordinators Regarding Training at a Division II Athletic Training Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
Renae Ellen Bomar ◽  
Thalia Mulvihill
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Ncaa Division Ii ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Preceptor Training ◽  
Division Ii

Context: Clinical experiences give the student athletic trainer the opportunity to relate and apply didactic information to a real-world setting. During these experiences student athletic trainers are supervised by certified, licensed health care providers working in a variety of settings (eg, hospital, physical therapy clinic, doctor's office). It is important to note the responsibilities these health care professionals (preceptors) take on when choosing to become a preceptor. Not only are they completing their normal, job-related tasks of patient care and administrative duties, but they are also responsible for the education and evaluation of student athletic trainers. Objective: This case study takes an in-depth look at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II athletic training program's (ATP) preceptor training model and provides an example of how 1 program is developing its preceptors under the new Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) policies. It is meant to lay the foundation for further research in preceptor development by providing a description of training and development practices. This case study can be used as a guide to other ATPs and compared to other institutions to identify the best practices for preceptor development. Because the policies are new and little research has been done on preceptor development, this is the first step in creating effective evidence-based practices. Design: Ethnographic case study. Setting: One-on-one, in-person, semistructured interviews were conducted, audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. A review of relevant (eg, training manuals) preceptor training documents was completed. Member checks were done as necessary for accuracy. Participants: One male, veteran off-campus preceptor, 1 female, novice on-campus preceptor, and the ATP clinical education coordinator participated. Participants were part of an NCAA Division II ATP located in Indiana. Results and Conclusions: The findings suggested that this program's preceptor training used various pedagogical designs and provided strong support to those involved.

scholarly journals Athletic Training Approved Clinical Instructors' Reports of Real-Time Opportunities for Evaluating Clinical Proficiencies

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 630-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirk J. Armstrong ◽  
Thomas G. Weidner ◽  
Stacy E. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Clinical Experience ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Clinical Instructors ◽  
Content Areas ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Approved Clinical Instructors

Abstract Context: Appropriate methods for evaluating clinical proficiencies are essential to ensuring entry-level competence in athletic training. Objective: To identify the methods Approved Clinical Instructors (ACIs) use to evaluate student performance of clinical proficiencies. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: Public and private institutions in National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) District 4. Patients or Other Participants: Approved Clinical Instructors from accredited athletic training education programs in the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association, which is NATA District 4 (N  =  135). Data Collection and Analysis: Participants completed a previously validated survey instrument, Methods of Clinical Proficiency Evaluation in Athletic Training, that consisted of 15 items, including demographic characteristics of the respondents and Likert-scale items (1  =  strongly disagree to 5  =  strongly agree) regarding methods of clinical proficiency evaluation, barriers, educational content areas, and clinical experience settings. We used analyses of variance and 2-tailed, independent-samples t tests to assess differences among ACI demographic characteristics and the methods, barriers, educational content areas, settings, and opportunities for feedback regarding clinical proficiency evaluation. Qualitative analysis of respondents' comments was completed. Results: The ACIs (n  =  106 of 133 respondents, 79.7%) most often used simulations to evaluate clinical proficiencies. Only 59 (55.1%) of the 107 ACIs responding to a follow-up question reported that they feel students engage in a sufficient number of real-time evaluations to prepare them for entry-level practice. An independent-samples t test revealed that no particular clinical experience setting provided more opportunities than another for real-time evaluations (t119 range, −0.909 to 1.796, P ≥ .05). The occurrence of injuries not coinciding with the clinical proficiency evaluation timetable (4.00 ± 0.832) was a barrier to real-time evaluations. Respondents' comments indicated much interest in opportunities and barriers regarding real-time clinical proficiency evaluations. Conclusions: Most clinical proficiencies are evaluated via simulations. The ACIs should maximize real-time situations to evaluate students' clinical proficiencies whenever feasible. Athletic training education program administrators should develop alternative methods of clinical proficiency evaluations.

scholarly journals Sports Medicine Staffing Across National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, and III Schools: Evidence for the Medical Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 573-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Baugh ◽  
Emily Kroshus ◽  
Bailey L. Lanser ◽  
Tory R. Lindley ◽  
William P. Meehan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Collegiate Sports ◽  
Financial Oversight

Context The ratio of clinicians to patients has been associated with health outcomes in many medical contexts but has not been explored in collegiate sports medicine. The relationship between administrative and financial oversight models and staffing is also unknown. Objective To (1) evaluate staffing patterns in National Collegiate Athletic Association sports medicine programs and (2) investigate whether staffing was associated with the division of competition, Power 5 conference status, administrative reporting structure (medical or athletic department), or financial structure (medical or athletic department). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Collegiate sports medicine programs. Patients or Other Participants Representatives of 325 universities. Main Outcome Measure(s) A telephone survey was conducted during June and July 2015. Participants were asked questions regarding the presence and full-time equivalence of the health care providers on their sports medicine staff. The number of athletes per athletic trainer was determined. Results Responding sports medicine programs had 0.5 to 20 full-time equivalent staff athletic trainers (median = 4). Staff athletic trainers at participating schools cared for 21 to 525 athletes per clinician (median = 100). Both administrative and financial oversight from a medical department versus the athletics department was associated with improved staffing across multiple metrics. Staffing levels were associated with the division of competition; athletic trainers at Division I schools cared for fewer athletes than athletic trainers at Division II or III schools, on average. The support of graduate assistant and certified intern athletic trainers varied across the sample as did the contributions of nonphysician, nonathletic trainer health care providers. Conclusions In many health care settings, clinician : patient ratios are associated with patient health outcomes. We found systematic variations in clinician : patient ratios across National Collegiate Athletic Association divisions of competition and across medical versus athletics organizational models, raising the possibility that athletes' health outcomes vary across these contexts. Future researchers should evaluate the relationships between clinician : patient ratios and athletes' access to care, care provision, health care costs, health outcomes, and clinician job satisfaction.

scholarly journals Perceived Skills and Abilities Required by Athletic Trainers in Hospital and Clinical Management Positions: A Delphi Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chadron B. Hazelbaker
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Care Management ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Health Care Management ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Sport Team ◽  
Management Positions

Context: Athletic training has expanded from traditional sport-team settings to varied settings involving active populations. Athletic trainers also use their education and abilities in administration to take on roles of management in hospitals and health care clinics. Objective: To begin to explore the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed in the emerging practice setting of health care management. Design: Delphi study. Setting: Directed surveys. Patients or Other Participants: Eight athletic trainers working as hospital and health care clinic managers in varied geographic settings. Data Collection and Analysis: Three rounds of directed surveys were used and included (1) a series of demographic questions and 1 focused, open-ended question, (2) 32 statements scored on a 6-point Likert-type scale with no neutral statement, and (3) 10 statements ranked in order of importance for the athletic trainer working as a health care manager. Results: I grouped the results into 2 categories: leadership skills and management tools. Conclusions: According to participants, effective health care managers need a strong understanding of business and management tools along with more interpersonal skills in communication and leadership. The results are consistent with the literature and may be applied in athletic training education programs and by athletic trainers seeking health care management positions.

scholarly journals Quality Improvement in Athletic Health Care

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (11) ◽  
pp. 1070-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea D. Lopes Sauers ◽  
Eric L. Sauers ◽  
Alison R. Snyder Valier
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Historical Perspectives ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Training Services

Context:  Quality improvement (QI) is a health care concept that ensures patients receive high-quality (safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, patient-centered) and affordable care. Despite its importance, the application of QI in athletic health care has been limited. Objectives:  To describe the need for and define QI in health care, to describe how to measure quality in health care, and to present a QI case in athletic training. Description:  As the athletic training profession continues to grow, a widespread engagement in QI efforts is necessary to establish the value of athletic training services for the patients that we serve. A review of the importance of QI in health care, historical perspectives of QI, tools to drive QI efforts, and examples of common QI initiatives is presented to assist clinicians in better understanding the value of QI for advancing athletic health care and the profession. Clinical and Research Advantages:  By engaging clinicians in strategies to measure outcomes and improve their patient care services, QI practice can help athletic trainers provide high-quality and affordable care to patients.

scholarly journals Recently Certified Athletic Trainers' Undergraduate Educational Preparation in Psychosocial Intervention and Referral

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Lynn Stiller-Ostrowski ◽  
John A. Ostrowski
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Psychosocial Intervention ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Area ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Context: “Psychosocial Intervention and Referral” is one of the 12 content areas established by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Education Council and is required to be taught in athletic training education programs (ATEPs). The perceived preparation of athletic trainers (ATs) in this content area has not been evaluated. Objective: To explore the preparation level of recently certified ATs within the content area of “Psychosocial Intervention and Referral.” Design: Qualitative design involving semistructured, in-depth, focus group interviews. Setting: Interviews were conducted at 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institutions in 2 regions of the United States. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 11 recently certified ATs who met predetermined criteria were recruited. The ATs represented a range of undergraduate ATEPs and current employment settings. Data Collection and Analysis: Focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed deductively. Peer debriefing and member checks were used to ensure trustworthiness. Results: The ATEPs are doing an adequate job of preparing ATs for many common communication and interpersonal issues, but ATs report being underprepared to deal with athlete-related issues in the areas of motivation and adherence, counseling and social support, mental skills training, and psychosocial referral. Conclusions: Limitations of undergraduate ATEPs regarding preparation of athletic training students within the “Psychosocial Intervention and Referral” content area were identified, with the goal of improving athletic training education. The more we know about the issues that entry-level ATs face, the more effectively we can structure athletic training education.

scholarly journals Strategies for Highly Effective Athletic Training Education Program Directors: A Practical Approach to Interdependence

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
James E. Leone ◽  
Kimberly A. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Literary Work ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
Professional Preparation ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Highly Effective

Objective: Following Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, this article seeks to communicate effective strategies for athletic training education Program Directors (PDs) to follow. Commentary of Covey's work and practical strategies to integrate them into PD practice and responsibilities are provided. Background: Due to a lack of professional preparation, Program Directors often relate to what they know best–working long hours to get the job accomplished. It is not uncommon for PDs to mirror the work schedules of clinically practicing certified athletic trainers. With this in mind, we propose approaching the role of PD using Stephen Covey's wisdom from his literary work, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Practical strategies for integrating Covey's work into a PD's daily responsibilities, as well as remaining compliant with CAATE Standard expectations, are discussed.

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