Psychological Aspects of Athletic Injuries as Perceived by Athletic Trainers

1996 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald A. Larson ◽  
Chad Starkey ◽  
Leonard D. Zaichkowsky
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Athletic Injuries ◽  
Psychological Aspects ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Sport Psychologist ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association

This study investigated the perceptions of certified athletic trainers concerning their attitudes, beliefs, and application of a variety of psychological strategies and techniques used in the treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. The Athletic Training and Sport Psychology Questionnaire (ATSPQ) was adapted from instruments developed by Wiese, Weiss, and Yukelson (1991) and Brewer, Van Raalte, and Linder (1991). The ATSPQ, a letter of introduction, and a self-addressed stamped envelope were distributed to 1,000 certified athletic trainers randomly selected from the membership database maintained by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). Only 482 (48.2%) of these questionnaires returned were usable. 47% of athletic trainers who responded believe that every injured athlete suffers psychological trauma. 24% reported that they have referred an athlete for counseling for situations related to their injury, and 25% reported that they have a sport psychologist as a member of their sports medicine team. This study concludes that future education of athletic trainers should address the psychological aspects of injury treatment as well as the development of a sport psychology referral network.

scholarly journals Current Sport-Related Concussion Teaching and Clinical Practices of Sports Medicine Professionals

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Covassin ◽  
Robert Elbin ◽  
Jennifer L. Stiller-Ostrowski
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association ◽  
Teaching Preferences

Abstract Various consensus and position statements recommend a multifaceted approach when diagnosing a possible concussion. The effectiveness of these materials depends largely on their content being disseminated to educators and to those in the clinical setting.Context: To identify the concussion management methods and guidelines currently taught in the athletic training classroom and clinical settings and to track the dissemination of the Vienna guidelines throughout the educational curriculum.Objective: A 17-question Internet survey.Design: A Web link was e-mailed to the program directors and certified athletic trainers holding educational positions in athletic training at 300 accredited programs in the United States.Setting: 513 program directors and athletic trainers.Patients or Other Participants: Survey questions addressed education level, years of certification, employment setting, concussion assessment and return-to-play guidelines used in the clinical setting and the classroom, and clinical and teaching preferences for existing position statements and concussion grading systems. The Vienna guidelines' “simple” and “complex” definitions of concussions were provided with the return-to-play stepwise approach.Main Outcome Measure(s): The National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement was the most widely used method of assessing, managing (61%), and making return-to-play decisions (47%) among participants. More than half of participants (66%) had never heard of the Vienna guidelines. After reading the Vienna guidelines' definitions and return-to-play criteria, nearly three-fourths of participants agreed with them. In addition, 68% said that they would use them, and 84% reported that they would teach them to students.Results: The majority of program directors and certified athletic trainers used a multidimensional approach to assess and manage a concussion. The National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement and Vienna guidelines were underused in both the classroom and clinical settings.Conclusions:

scholarly journals Certified Athletic Trainers' Knowledge of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Common Disinfectants

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leamor Kahanov ◽  
Elizabeth J. Gilmore ◽  
Lindsey E. Eberman ◽  
Jeffrey Roberts ◽  
Tamar Semerjian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association

Context: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasingly common in athletic settings. The MRSA knowledge and infection-control practices of certified athletic trainers (ATs) and the cleanliness of the athletic training room are important factors in preventing MRSA infections. Objective: To assess knowledge of MRSA and the use of common disinfectants among ATs and to explore their infection-control practices. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: High school and collegiate athletic training rooms. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 163 ATs from National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, and III and high schools, representing all 10 National Athletic Trainers' Association districts. Main Outcome Measure(s): Frequencies, analyses of variance, and χ2 tests were used to assess current practices and opinions and relationships between factors. Results: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was perceived as a national problem by 92% of respondents; 57% perceived MRSA as a problem in their practice setting. Most respondents had treated general infections (88%), staphylococcal infections (75%), and MRSA infections (57%). Male sex was associated with treating all 3 types of infections (χ2 test, P < .05). Noncurriculum education was associated with a lack of recognition of environmental issues as risk factors and with the use of isopropyl alcohol for disinfection (χ2 test, P < .05). For example, 10% of respondents did not recognize that contaminated whirlpools can be a source of MRSA infection. Respondents also incorrectly identified effective cleaning solutions. Thirty percent of respondents cleaned their hands frequently or sometimes before treating each athlete and 35% cleaned their hands sometimes, occasionally, or never after seeing each athlete. Conclusions: The majority of ATs were informed about MRSA and made correct disinfection choices. However, improvements are still needed, and not all ATs were using proper disinfection practices.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Problem Solving in Male Collegiate Athletic Trainers

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrick A. Gardin ◽  
James M. Mensch
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Diagnostic Problem ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Diagnostic Problem Solving ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association ◽  
College Setting

Context: Knowledge and experience may be important factors for understanding expertise based upon a clinician's ability to select and execute an appropriate response as a clinician during injury evaluation. Objective: To describe how collegiate male certified athletic trainers represent injury-evaluation domain knowledge during a situational interview using a think-aloud protocol. Design: Qualitative. Setting: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and II colleges in National Athletic Trainers' Association District 3. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 20 male certified athletic trainers (n = 10 with less than 2 years of experience in the college setting and n = 10 with at least 10 years of experience in the college setting) participated in the study. Data Collection and Analysis: We collected data using a situational interview and questionnaire. Data were transcribed, reduced to meaningful units, and analyzed using verbal analysis procedures. Member checks, triangulation of data, field journaling, and peer-debriefing techniques were used to ensure trustworthiness of the data. Knowledge concepts were enumerated to describe differences between experts and novices. Results: Compared with novices, experts had more knowledge concepts of patient history and predictions and fewer concepts of situation appraisal. Conclusions: Expertise in athletic training shares traits with other areas in health care. Athletic training education and professional development may benefit from our understanding which cognitive processes differentiate expert practice. Future investigators should attempt to describe other settings and study diagnostic problem solving in a natural environment.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Aspects of Athletic Injuries as Perceived by Athletic Trainers

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Clement ◽  
Megan D. Granquist ◽  
Monna M. Arvinen-Barrow
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Counseling Services ◽  
Psychological Responses ◽  
Coping Behaviors ◽  
Sport Psychologist ◽  
And Coping

Context: Despite the Psychosocial Strategies and Referral content area, athletic trainers (ATs) generally lack confidence in their ability to use this information. Objective: The current study's primary purpose was to determine (a) perceived psychological responses and coping behaviors athletes may present to ATs, (b) psychosocial strategies ATs currently use with their athletes, (c) psychosocial strategies ATs deem important to learn more about, and (d) ATs' current practices in referring athletes to counseling or sport psychology services. Design:  Mixed-methods study. Setting: Online survey containing both quantitative and qualitative items. Patients or Other Participants:   A total of 215 ATs (86 male, 129 female), representing a response rate of 22.50%. Main Outcome Measure(s): The Athletic Training and Sport Psychology Questionnaire. Results: Stress/anxiety (4.24 ± 0.82), anger (3.70 ± 0.96), and treatment adherence problems (3.62 ± 0.94) were rated as the primary psychological responses athletes may present upon injury. Adherence and having a positive attitude were identified as key determinants in defining athletes' successful coping with their injuries. The top 3 selected psychosocial strategies were keeping the athlete involved with the team (4.57 ± 0.73), using short-term goals (4.45 ± 0.67), and creating variety in rehabilitation exercises (4.32 ± 0.75). The top 3 rated psychosocial strategies ATs deem important to learn more about were understanding motivation (4.29 ± 0.89), using effective communication (4.24 ± 0.91), and setting realistic goals (4.22 ± 0.97). Of the sample, only 59 (27.44%) ATs reported referring an athlete for counseling services, and 37 (84.09%) of those who had access to a sport psychologist (n = 44) reported referring for sport psychology services. Conclusions:  These results not only highlight ATs' current use of psychosocial strategies but also their desires to increase their current knowledge and understanding of these strategies while caring for injured athletes.

Athletic Trainers’ Perspectives on Sport Psychology: Professional Roles, Training, and Referrals

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-287
Author(s):  
Joey Ramaeker ◽  
Trent A. Petrie
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Physical Injury ◽  
Clinical Experiences ◽  
Psychological Recovery ◽  
Sport Psychologist

We explored athletic trainers’ (ATs) beliefs regarding the roles of fellow ATs and sport psychologists (SPs) when working with athletes, and assessed where ATs’ typically refer athletes with psychological concerns. ATs’ beliefs and referral preferences across three hypothetical sport performance scenarios also were evaluated. ATs viewed aiding athletes’ psychological recovery from injury as their most acceptable role followed by teaching mental skills and counseling regarding personal issues. ATs rated SPs’ roles similarly. Regarding the scenarios, ATs were most likely to refer to a SP when performance was affected by mental factors. Considering performance difficulties attributed to interpersonal concerns, ATs were most likely to refer to a counselor. When recovering from physical injury, ATs viewed referring to a sport psychologist and assisting on their own as equally viable options. ATs’ views regarding their roles and referral preferences likely reflect educational and clinical experiences. Collaboration between athletic training and sport psychology professional organizations and individual professionals is warranted to enhance athlete care.

scholarly journals An overview of concussion consensus statements since 2000

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Cantu
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Sport Medicine ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Consensus Statements ◽  
Clinical Journal ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association

✓ More refereed publications on sports-related concussion have appeared since 2000 than in all previous years combined. Three international consensus statements, documents from the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and entire issues of the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine and the Journal of Athletic Training have been devoted to this subject. The object of this article is to critique the consensus statements and NATA and ACSM documents, pointing out areas of controversy.

Who Should Mentor Me? Giving a Voice to Black Women Athletic Training Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie J. Siple ◽  
Rodney K. Hopson ◽  
Helen C. Sobehart ◽  
Paula S. Turocy
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Member Checks ◽  
Constant Comparative Analysis

Context Black women are dramatically underrepresented in the health care profession of athletic training. It may be theorized that one of the reasons more black female students are not entering into the profession of athletic training is that they do not have adequate mentors to successfully guide them. Objective The purpose of our qualitative study was to examine the perceived effects of mentoring on the retention and credentialing of black women athletic trainers. Design Qualitative. Setting Clinical settings. Patients or Other Participants Ten certified athletic trainers who self-designate as black women. Main Outcome Measure(s) We conducted one-on-one phone interviews and follow-up on personal case study interviews, which were transcribed verbatim. We performed constant comparative analysis of the data and established trustworthiness via member checks and peer review. Results (1) Mentoring promotes matriculation and successful college completion and credentialing of black women athletic training students, and (2) although shared race and gender are favorable mentor characteristics, accessibility and approachability are more essential traits of mentors. Conclusions These findings offer athletic training educators potential insight into ways to improve the athletic training educational success of black women enrolled in athletic training education programs that may lead to their increased participation/advancement in the athletic training profession.

scholarly journals Exploring Athletic Trainers' Self-Confidence for Interpreting Results from Concussion Assessments

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 756-756
Author(s):  
N R D’Amico ◽  
T Covassin ◽  
N Murray ◽  
P Schatz ◽  
R J Elbin
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Neurocognitive Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Concussion Management ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association

Abstract Purpose To explore athletic trainers' self-confidence for interpreting results from concussion assessments. Methods An online survey was administered via the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) membership listserv to a cross-sectional sample of 10,000 certified athletic trainers (ATCs) employed in high school and collegiate settings. The survey included: 1) ATC demographics (i.e., age, sex, years of experience); 2) ATC concussion management practices (i.e., previous concussion training, continuing education received on concussion, concussion assessments administered); and 3) a 4-point Likert scale (1=no confidence, 4=high confidence) assessing ATC self-confidence for interpreting results from concussion assessments. A total of 725 ATCs completed the survey yielding a response rate of 7.25%; 114 were excluded for missing data and 611 ATCs were included in final analyses. Sample demographics, ATC concussion management practices, and ATC self-confidence scores were examined with demographic statistics (i.e., means, standard deviations, frequencies, percentages) for 16 commonly used concussion assessments. Results The sample of ATCs (mean age 38.97±14.89 years) was predominately female (59.2%) and reported an average of 10.08±7.58 years of clinical experience. Clinical examinations (63.2%) and symptom scales (61.4%) were among the most frequent assessments with high ATC self-confidence for interpretation. Vestibular/oculomotor measures (27.2%) and computerized neurocognitive testing (26.2%) were among the most frequent assessments with low ATC self-confidence for interpretation. Conclusion Low ATC self-confidence scores for interpreting results from vestibular/oculomotor measures and computerized neurocognitive testing highlight the importance of incorporating a multi-disciplinary team approach and including sport neuropsychologists for the proper management of concussion.

scholarly journals Self-Reported Health and Fitness Habits of Certified Athletic Trainers

2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica J. Groth ◽  
Suzan F. Ayers ◽  
Michael G. Miller ◽  
William D. Arbogast
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Health And Fitness ◽  
Reported Health

Abstract Context: As health care providers, certified athletic trainers (ATs) should be role models for healthy behaviors. Objective: To analyze the self-reported health and fitness habits of ATs. Design: A cross-sectional, cluster random sample. Setting: Online questionnaire. Patients or Other Participants: Of a sampling frame of 1000 potential participants, 275 ATs completed the questionnaire. Main Outcome Measure(s): Health habits and activity were based on a typical 7-day week. Results: A total of 41% of the participants met the exercise recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine; 7% reported being sedentary. Differences were noted between the sexes for fitness habits (P < .035) and composite health score (P < .001). None of the ATs reported meeting the Daily Reference Intake for all 5 food groups. Seven percent of female ATs consumed more alcohol than recommended, compared with 2% of males. However, 80% of males and 93% of females reported consuming 5 or fewer drinks per week. Only 0.8% reported currently smoking. Conclusions: This sample of ATs had better health and fitness habits than the general population but did not meet professional recommendations set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine or the United States Department of Agriculture. Thus, these ATs were not ideal role models in demonstrating healthy behaviors.

scholarly journals Preventing catastrophic injury and death in collegiate athletes: interassociation recommendations endorsed by 13 medical and sports medicine organisations

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
John T Parsons ◽  
Scott A Anderson ◽  
Douglas J Casa ◽  
Brian Hainline
Keyword(s):  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Medical Society ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Catastrophic Injury ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association ◽  
Orthopaedic Society ◽  
Member School

The following organisations endorsed this document: American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, College Athletic Trainers’ Society, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Korey Stringer Institute, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Operating Committee for Standards on Athletic Equipment, Sports Neuropsychology Society. The following organisation has affirmed the value of this document: American Academy of Neurology.The Second Safety in College Football Summit resulted in interassociation consensus recommendations for three paramount safety issues in collegiate athletics: (1) independent medical care for collegiate athletes; (2) diagnosis and management of sport-related concussion; and (3) year-round football practice contact for collegiate athletes. This document, the fourth arising from the 2016 event, addresses the prevention of catastrophic injury, including traumatic and non-traumatic death, in collegiate athletes. The final recommendations in this document are the result of presentations and discussions on key items that occurred at the summit. After those presentations and discussions, endorsing organisation representatives agreed on 18 foundational statements that became the basis for this consensus paper that has been subsequently reviewed by relevant stakeholders and endorsing organisations. This is the final endorsed document for preventing catastrophic injury and death in collegiate athletes. This document is divided into the following components. (1) Background—this section provides an overview of catastrophic injury and death in collegiate athletes. (2) Interassociation recommendations: preventing catastrophic injury and death in collegiate athletes—this section provides the final recommendations of the medical organisations for preventing catastrophic injuries in collegiate athletes. (3) Interassociation recommendations: checklist—this section provides a checklist for each member school. The checklist statements stem from foundational statements voted on by representatives of medical organisations during the summit, and they serve as the primary vehicle for each member school to implement the prevention recommendations. (4) References—this section provides the relevant references for this document. (5) Appendices—this section lists the foundational statements, agenda, summit attendees and medical organisations that endorsed this document.

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