scholarly journals Secondary School Socioeconomic Status and Athletic Training Practice Characteristics

Author(s):  
Hannah J. Robison ◽  
Janet E. Simon ◽  
Erik J. Nelson ◽  
Sarah N. Morris ◽  
Erin B. Wasserman ◽  
...  

Context: Socioeconomic status (SES) is a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality across health outcomes. Limited information exists on how school SES impacts athletic training practice when a certified athletic trainer (AT) is present at secondary schools. Objective: To describe contact frequencies and service rates provided by ATs for injuries among secondary school student athletes and how these differ by school SES. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Athletic training room (ATR) visit days and AT services were collected from 77 secondary schools. Schools were separated into three school SES groups: affluent (n=31), average (n=29), and disadvantaged (n=17). Patients or Other Participants: Secondary school student-athletes participating in 12 boys' and 11 girls' sports who visited the ATR during the 2014–2015 through 2018–2019 academic years and received athletic or non-athletic injury care. Main Outcome Measures: Contact frequencies expressed as ATR visit days per injury, AT services per injury, and AT services per ATR visit day. Rates for service type utilized were expressed as the total count over reported athlete-exposures. Results: ATs documented 1,191 services. Affluent and average SES school communities provided greater contact frequencies for injury related care compared to disadvantaged school communities, particularly by AT services/injury (7.10±13.08 versus average: 9.30±11.60 and affluent: 9.40±12.20; p=0.020). Affluent school communities provided greater rates of services in five of the eleven service groups reported. No significant differences were observed among school SES groups in therapeutic exercises. Conclusions: Our findings reflect that AT practice characteristics may differ by school SES, but these differences do not appear to result in less medical care. Given the complexity and widespread effects of SES, future investigations should utilize a complex method to determine SES as well as aim to identify how SES may impact secondary school student athletes outside of AT practice characteristics.

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara C. Valovich McLeod ◽  
Kellie C. Huxel Bliven ◽  
Kenneth C. Lam ◽  
R. Curtis Bay ◽  
Alison R. Snyder Valier ◽  
...  

Context: Increased rates of sport participation and sport-related injury have led to greater emphasis on and attention to medical care of student-athletes in the secondary school setting. Access to athletic training services is seen as a critical factor for delivering adequate injury prevention and medical care to student-athletes. However, few data are available regarding practice characteristics of athletic trainers (ATs) in this setting. Objective: To characterize the practices of secondary school athletic trainers (ATs). Design:  Descriptive study. Setting: Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 17 558 ATs with current National Athletic Trainers' Association membership were identified for survey distribution. Of these, 4232 ATs indicated that they practiced in the secondary school setting, and 4045 completed some part of the survey. Main Outcome Measure(s):  A Web-based survey was used to obtain demographic information about ATs and their secondary schools and characteristics of athletic training practice. Descriptive data regarding the athletic trainer's personal characteristics, secondary school characteristics, and practice patterns are reported as percentages and frequencies. Results: Most respondents were in the early stages of their careers and relatively new to the secondary school practice setting. Nearly two-thirds (62.4%; n = 2522) of respondents had 10 or fewer years of experience as secondary school ATs, 52% (n = 2132) had been certified for 10 or fewer years, and 53.4% (n = 2164) had 10 or fewer years of experience in any practice setting. The majority of respondents (85%) worked in public schools with enrollment of 1000 to 1999 (35.5%) and with football (95.5%). More than half of respondents were employed directly by their school. Most respondents (50.6%) reported an athletic training budget of less than $4000. The majority of ATs performed evaluations (87.5%) on-site all of the time, with a smaller percentage providing treatments (73.3%) or rehabilitation (47.4%) services all of the time. Conclusions: This is the first study to describe secondary school athletic training that reflects national practice trends. To improve the quality of athletic training care and to support and improve current working conditions, the profession must examine how its members practice on a day-to-day basis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 1229-1236
Author(s):  
Eric G. Post ◽  
Karen G. Roos ◽  
Stephen Rivas ◽  
Tricia M. Kasamatsu ◽  
Jason Bennett

Context California is currently the only state that does not regulate who can and cannot call themselves athletic trainers (ATs). Therefore, previous national or state-specific investigations may not have provided an accurate representation of AT availability at the secondary school level in California. Similarly, it is unknown whether the factors that influence AT availability in California, such as socioeconomic status, are similar to or different from those identified in previous studies. Objective To describe the availability of ATs certified by the Board of Certification in California secondary schools and to examine potential factors influencing access to AT services in California secondary schools. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Online survey. Patients or Other Participants Representatives of 1270 California high schools. Main Outcome Measure(s) Officials from member schools completed the 2017–2018 California Interscholastic Federation Participation Census. Respondents provided information regarding school type, student and student-athlete enrollment, whether the school had ATs on staff, and whether the ATs were certified by the Board of Certification. The socioeconomic status of public and charter schools was determined using the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Results More than half (54.6%) of schools reported that they either did not employ ATs (47.6%) or employed unqualified health personnel (UHP) in the role of AT (7.0%). Nearly 30% of student-athletes in California participated in athletics at a school that did not employ ATs (n = 191 626, 28.9%) and 8% of student-athletes participated at a school that employed UHP in the role of AT (n = 54 361, 8.2%). Schools that reported employing ATs had a lower proportion of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch than schools that did not employ ATs and schools that employed UHP (both P values < .001). Conclusions With ongoing legislative efforts to obtain regulation of ATs in California, secondary school administrators are encouraged to hire ATs with the proper certification to enhance the patient care provided to student-athletes and improve health outcomes.


2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 557-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara C. Valovich McLeod ◽  
Kenneth C. Lam ◽  
R. Curtis Bay ◽  
Eric L. Sauers ◽  
Alison R. Snyder Valier

Context Analysis of health care service models requires the collection and evaluation of basic practice characterization data. Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) provide a framework for gathering data useful in characterizing clinical practice. Objective To describe preliminary secondary school setting practice data from the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN). Design Descriptive study. Setting Secondary school athletic training facilities within the AT-PBRN. Patients or Other Participants Clinicians (n = 22) and their patients (n = 2523) from the AT-PBRN. Main Outcome Measure(s) A Web-based survey was used to obtain data on clinical practice site and clinician characteristics. Patient and practice characteristics were obtained via deidentified electronic medical record data collected between September 1, 2009, and April 1, 2011. Descriptive data regarding the clinician and CPS practice characteristics are reported as percentages and frequencies. Descriptive analysis of patient encounters and practice characteristic data was performed, with the percentages and frequencies of the type of injuries recorded at initial evaluation, type of treatment received at initial evaluation, daily treatment, and daily sign-in procedures. Results The AT-PBRN had secondary school sites in 7 states, and most athletic trainers at those sites (78.2%) had less than 5 years of experience. The secondary school sites within the AT-PBRN documented 2523 patients treated across 3140 encounters. Patients most frequently sought care for a current injury (61.3%), followed by preventive services (24.0%), and new injuries (14.7%). The most common diagnoses were ankle sprain/strain (17.9%), hip sprain/strain (12.5%), concussion (12.0%), and knee pain (2.5%). The most frequent procedures were athletic trainer evaluation (53.9%), hot- or cold-pack application (26.0%), strapping (10.3%), and therapeutic exercise (5.7%). The median number of treatments per injury was 3 (interquartile range = 2, 4; range = 2–19). Conclusions These preliminary data describe services provided by clinicians within the AT-PBRN and demonstrate the usefulness of the PBRN model for obtaining such data.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Post ◽  
Andrew P. Winterstein ◽  
Scott J. Hetzel ◽  
Blaire Lutes ◽  
Timothy A. McGuine

Context Secondary schools have made significant progress in providing athletic trainer (AT) coverage to their student-athletes, but the levels of access at schools with ATs may vary widely. Socioeconomic disparities in medical coverage and access have been noted in other health care fields, but such disparities in the level of access to AT services have not been thoroughly examined. Objective To determine if (1) access to AT services or (2) the level of access (AT hours per week and athletes per AT hour) differed based on the socioeconomic characteristics of secondary schools. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Mailed and e-mailed surveys. Patients or Other Participants High school athletic directors and ATs from 402 Wisconsin high schools. Main Outcome Measure(s) Respondents provided information as to whether their school used the services of an AT and the number of hours per week that their school had an AT on-site. The number of athletes per AT hour was calculated by dividing the total number of athletes at the school by the number of hours of AT coverage per week. The socioeconomic status of each school was determined using the percentage of students with free or reduced-cost lunch and the county median household income (MHI). Results Schools without an AT on-site were in lower MHI counties (P < .001) and had more students eligible for a free or reduced-cost lunch (P < .001). Lower levels of AT access (fewer hours of AT access per week and more athletes per AT hour) were observed at schools in the lowest third of the county MHI and with the highest third of students eligible for a free or reduced-cost lunch (P < .001). Conclusions Socioeconomic disparities were present in access to AT services. New models are needed to focus on providing a high level of AT access for all student-athletes, regardless of socioeconomic status.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Amos Oyetunde Alabi ◽  
Jesujoba Oluwadara Alabi

This paper discusses the duties and responsibilities of secondary school principals and teachers.  The paper adopts the template of Gulick and Urwick (1937) on the functions of the chief executive of an establishment/institution to highlight the duties and responsibilities of secondary school principals and teachers.  The acronym of the template is POSDCORB which means: Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting and Budgeting.  Principals are the chief executives of secondary schools while the teachers are potential administrators of secondary schools as well hence the application of the template to both of them and more even at their present state/level the template is very relevant to them.  If the principals and teachers understand very well their duties and responsibilities as presented in this paper and do them accordingly, there will be peaceful, harmonious relationship and coexistence within the school and outside the school communities. The schools will be conducive for academic progress of the students and for the professional development of the teachers.  The schools will become ideal, perfect and desired community for everyone to live and contribute to the development of the larger community. The paper highlights some policy issues to be considered and put in place in support of the teachers and principals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aminu Jibril Arfasa ◽  
Fisseha Mikrie Weldmeskel

The purpose of this study was to examine the practices and challenges of guidance and counseling services in southwest Ethiopia secondary schools with the intention of understanding the state of secondary school guidance and counseling and forward improvement options to student service. The study employs a descriptive survey design that involves quantitative and qualitative research methods. The study participants were 392 students and 108 teachers who were selected from the secondary schools of southwest Ethiopia by systematic random sampling. Moreover, 8 counselors, 8 principals, and 8 educational bureau officers were selected by a means of availability sampling.  The data for the study were collected by the administration of questionnaires and the use of oral interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using the frequency of student visits to guidance and counseling office and mean perception score on practices of guidance and counseling. The qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method with a focus on the major challenges of guidance and counseling services in the sampled schools. The result of the study showed that the majority of secondary school students never visit guidance and counseling offices. The mean perception score of students and teachers towards the usefulness of the service was positive though the provision was either very much limited or most of the time unavailable. The services of guidance and counseling are also influenced by several challenges such as the lack of professionally trained counselors and the required facilities. The researchers conclude the implication of guidance and counseling service and the associated challenges to considerably influence secondary school student learning and personal wellbeing.


2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. DeWitt ◽  
Scott A. Unruh ◽  
Srivatsa Seshadri

Context: Medical organizations have recommended that administrators, parents, and community leaders explore every opportunity to make interscholastic athletic programs safe for participation, including employing athletic trainers at practices and competitive events. Objective: To determine the overall level of medical services provided for secondary school-aged athletes at high school athletic events in a rural southern state, to evaluate the employment of athletic trainers in the provision of medical services in secondary schools, and to compare athletic training medical services provided at athletic events among schools of various sizes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Questionnaires were sent to administrators at 199 secondary schools. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 144 administrators, including interscholastic athletic directors and school principals, from 199 secondary schools participated (72% response rate). Main Outcome Measure(s): Participants completed the Self-Appraisal Checklist for Health Supervision in Scholastic Athletic Programs from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has been demonstrated to be valid and reliable. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to measure differences in groups. Results: We found differences in cumulative scores when measuring between institutional classifications (P≤.05). Cumulative scores for the Event Coverage section of the instrument ranged from 80.5 to 109.6 out of a total possible score of 126. We also found differences in several factors identified in the Event Coverage section (P≤.05). Conclusions: The number of coaching staff certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid was minimal. Most schools did not have a plan for providing minimal emergency equipment, ice, or water for visiting teams. We found that 88% (n = 7) of the 8 essential Event Coverage components that the American Academy of Pediatrics deems important were not addressed by schools represented in our study.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (10) ◽  
pp. 937-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cailee E. Welch Bacon ◽  
Melissa C. Kay ◽  
Tamara C. Valovich McLeod

Context:  Athletic trainers (ATs) play a vital role in managing the care of student-athletes after a sport-related concussion, yet little is known about their specific involvement in the implementation of academic adjustments as part of the concussion-management plan. Objective:  To explore ATs' perceived roles and responsibilities regarding the implementation of academic adjustments for concussed student-athletes. Design:  Qualitative study. Setting:  Individual telephone interviews. Patients or Other Participants:  Sixteen ATs employed in the secondary school setting (8 women, 8 men; age = 39.6 ± 7.9 years; athletic training experience = 15.1 ± 5.6 years), representing 12 states, were interviewed. Data Collection and Analysis:  One telephone interview was conducted with each participant. After the interviews were transcribed, the data were analyzed and coded into themes and categories, which were determined via consensus of a 4-person research team. To decrease researcher bias, triangulation occurred through participant member checking, the inclusion of multiple researchers, and an internal auditor. Results:  Several categories related to participants' perceptions regarding their roles and responsibilities within the academic-adjustments process emerged from data analysis: (1) understanding of academic adjustments, (2) perceptions of their roles in academic adjustments, (3) initiation of academic adjustments, (4) facilitation of academic adjustments, and (5) lack of a role in the academic-adjustments process. Although most ATs perceived that they had a role in the initiation and facilitation of academic adjustments for concussed student-athletes, some reported they did not want a role in the process. Regardless, participants frequently suggested the need for further education. Conclusions:  These findings highlight that ATs either wanted to be involved in the implementation of academic adjustments but felt further education was needed or they did not want to be involved because they felt that it was not in their area of expertise. To create a cohesive concussion-management team, it is vital that ATs understand their individual and collaborative roles in the secondary school setting.


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