scholarly journals Athletic Training Services During Daily Patient Encounters: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 435-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Lam ◽  
Alison R. Snyder Valier ◽  
Barton E. Anderson ◽  
Tamara C. Valovich McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Preventive Services ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Training Services ◽  
Hot Pack ◽  
Training Practice

Context: Athletic training services such as taping, wrapping, and stretching are common during routine care but rarely captured in traditional patient documentation. These clinical data are vital when determining appropriate medical coverage and demonstrating the value and worth of athletic trainers (ATs). Objective: To analyze clinical data from daily encounter forms within the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN). Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Secondary school athletic training clinics. Patients or Other Participants: Adolescent patients (n = 4888; age = 16.3 ± 1.4 years) seeking care from ATs. Main Outcome Measure(s): We used Web-based electronic medical records from December 1, 2009, to July 1, 2015, to obtain patient characteristics via deidentified data. Descriptive data regarding practice characteristics from patient encounter forms were analyzed and reported as percentages and frequencies. Results: A total of 36 245 patient encounters (mean = 7.5 ± 11.6 encounters per patient) were recorded. Football, basketball, soccer, track, and volleyball accounted for 85.1% of all encounters. Most encounters were for preventive services (48.8%, n = 22 329), followed by care for a current injury (37.2%, n = 17 027) and care for a new injury (13.9%, n = 6368). Of the preventive encounters, taping (52.7%) was the most common service provided, followed by ice- or hot-pack application (25.4%) and treatment (9.6%). Taping (28.7%) was also the most common service for current injuries, followed by treatment (26.7%) and ice- or hot-pack application (26.2%). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the unique role of ATs as health care providers who provide substantial preventive services to their patients. Further, these results represent one of the first attempts to describe athletic training services related to nontime-loss injuries, emphasizing the significant role that ATs play in the health care of secondary school athletes. These findings should help clinicians and administrators make more informed decisions regarding appropriate medical coverage.

scholarly journals Practice-Based Research Networks, Part II: A Descriptive Analysis of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network in the Secondary School Setting

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
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Initial Evaluation ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Practice Characteristics ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Training Practice

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.

scholarly journals Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of and Barriers to Patient Care Documentation: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 667-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cailee E. Welch Bacon ◽  
Bradly L. Eppelheimer ◽  
Tricia M. Kasamatsu ◽  
Kenneth C. Lam ◽  
Sara L. Nottingham
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Research Network ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Patient Care ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Training Practice

Context:  For the practice characteristics of the services athletic trainers (ATs) provide to be identified, all ATs must complete high-quality patient care documentation. However, little is known about ATs' perceptions of patient care documentation or the potential barriers they may encounter while trying to ensure high-quality documentation. Objective:  To explore ATs' perceptions of and barriers to patient care documentation via the Clinical Outcomes Research Education for Athletic Trainers (CORE-AT) electronic medical record system in the secondary school setting. Design:  Qualitative study. Setting:  Individual telephone interviews. Patients or Other Participants:  We interviewed 10 ATs (4 men, 6 women; age = 32.6 ± 11.4 years, athletic training experience = 7.1 ± 7.8 years) who were members of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN) and employed in the secondary school setting. Data Collection and Analysis:  We conducted an individual interview with each participant. After transcription of the interviews, the data were analyzed into common themes and categories following the consensual qualitative research tradition. Data triangulation occurred through member checking and multiple researchers to ensure accuracy during data analysis. Results:  Participants revealed several perceptions of patient care documentation, consisting of quality, expectations and accountability, priority, incentive, and culture of the secondary school setting. In addition, we identified barriers to quality patient care documentation: lack of time, lack of accountability for documenting patient care, inadequate facility resources, and lack of personnel. Participants discussed the volume of patients as a unique challenge in the secondary school setting. Conclusions:  Whereas ATs perceived patient care documentation as important, several practical barriers may inhibit their ability to complete high-quality documentation of the services they provide. Effective strategies to improve the quality of patient care documentation among ATs are needed to ensure that their value, particularly in the secondary school setting, is accurately characterized.

scholarly journals Musculoskeletal Injury in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 232596712094895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara N. Radzak ◽  
JoEllen M. Sefton ◽  
Mark K. Timmons ◽  
Rachel Lopp ◽  
Christopher D. Stickley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injury ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Anatomic Location ◽  
Insidious Onset ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Rotc Cadets ◽  
Training Corps ◽  
Training Practice

Background: Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets must meet the same physical standards as active duty military servicemembers and undergo organized physical training (PT). ROTC participation, like all physical activity, can result in training-related musculoskeletal injury (MSKI), and of course, cadets could sustain MSKI outside of ROTC. However, MSKI incidence in ROTC programs is largely unknown. Purpose: To describe patient and injury demographics of MSKI in 5 universities’ Army ROTC programs. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A retrospective chart review of electronic medical records was performed using the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN). Athletic trainers at 5 clinical practice sites within the AT-PBRN documented injury assessments via a web-based electronic medical record system. Medical records during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic years were used for analysis. Summary statistics were calculated for age, sex, height, body mass, military science year, training ability group, mechanism of injury, activity type associated with injury, anatomic location of injury, participation status, injury severity, and diagnosis. Results: A total of 364 unique injuries were documented. Cadets in the most advanced fitness group (Alpha; n = 148/364) and in their third year of training (n = 97/364) presented with the most injuries. Injuries most commonly occurred during PT (n = 165/364). Insidious onset (n = 146/364) and noncontact (n = 115/364) mechanisms of injury were prevalent. The most frequent anatomic location of injury was the knee (n = 71/364) followed by the ankle (n = 57/364). General sprain/strain was the most frequent International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code reported (n = 34/364). Conclusion: The knee was the most frequent location of MSKI in ROTC participants, and most MSKIs had insidious onset. Cadets with higher injury frequency were high achieving (Alpha) and in a critical time point in ROTC (military science year 3). The majority of MSKIs can be attributed to ROTC training, with PT being the most frequent activity associated with injury. Civilian health care providers, from whom ROTC cadets will most likely seek medical attention, need to be aware of ROTC physical demands as well as the characteristics of training-related injuries.

scholarly journals Athletic Trainers' Reasons for and Mechanics of Documenting Patient Care: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 656-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara L. Nottingham ◽  
Kenneth C. Lam ◽  
Tricia M. Kasamatsu ◽  
Bradly L. Eppelheimer ◽  
Cailee E. Welch Bacon
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Training Practice

Context:  Documenting patient care is an important responsibility of athletic trainers (ATs). However, little is known about ATs' reasons for documenting patient care and the mechanics of completing documentation tasks. Objective:  To understand ATs' perceptions about reasons for and the mechanics of patient care documentation. Design:  Qualitative study. Setting:  Individual telephone interviews with Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network members. Patients or Other Participants:  Ten ATs employed in the secondary school setting (age = 32.6 ± 11.4 years, athletic training experience = 7.1 ± 7.8 years) were recruited using a criterion-based sampling technique. Participants were Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network members who used the Clinical Outcomes Research Education for Athletic Trainers electronic medical record system and practiced in 6 states. Data Collection and Analysis:  We used the consensual qualitative research tradition. One investigator conducted individual telephone interviews with each participant. Data collection was considered complete after the research team determined that data saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and independently analyzed by 4 research team members following the process of open, axial, and selective coding. After independently categorizing interview responses into categories and themes, the members of the research team developed a consensus codebook, reanalyzed all interviews, and came to a final agreement on the findings. Trustworthiness was established through multiple-analyst triangulation and member checking. Results:  Participants identified 3 reasons for documenting patient care: communication, monitoring patient care, and legal implications. Four subcategories emerged from the mechanics-of-documentation theme: location, time of day, length of time, and criteria for documenting. The ATs described different criteria for documenting patient care, ranging from documenting every injury in the same manner to documenting time-loss and follow-up injuries differently. Conclusions:  Whereas ATs recognized individual mechanisms that enabled them to document patient care, they may need more guidance on the appropriate criteria for documenting various patient care encounters and strategies to help them document more effectively.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Injuries Occurring During Cross-Country: A Report from the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1230-1238
Author(s):  
Ashley N. Marshall ◽  
Tamara C. Valovich McLeod ◽  
Kenneth C. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Sport Activity ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Treatment Type ◽  
Therapeutic Exercises ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Training Practice

Context Cross-country is a popular sport activity, particularly in adolescent populations. Although epidemiologic investigations have provided insight into patient and injury characteristics associated with running injuries, little is known about how these injuries are managed at the point of care. Objective To describe injury and treatment characteristics of injuries sustained during cross-country. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting High school athletic training clinics within the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network. Patients or Other Participants Patient cases were included if the patient was diagnosed with an injury that occurred during interscholastic cross-country participation. All patients received usual care by an athletic trainer. Main Outcome Measure(s) We used summary statistics to describe injury (sex, age, participation level, time of injury, mechanism of injury, body part, injury type, diagnosis) and treatment (type, amount, duration, number of services) characteristics. Results Most cross-country injuries occurred to the lower extremity and were musculotendinous or ligamentous in nature. The most common injury types were sprain/strain (43.8%), tendinopathy (18.5%), and general pain (9.5%). Injured body parts and diagnoses were typically similar between sexes. The most frequently used treatment was therapeutic exercises or activities (28.7%), and patients received an average of 7.4 ± 17.4 total athletic training services during 5.5 ± 15.1 episodes of care over 27.8 ± 87.5 days. Conclusions Adolescent cross-country student-athletes frequently sustained non–time-loss injuries that required up to 1 month of treatment and management. These findings will generate awareness surrounding the role of athletic trainers in providing care for cross-country athletes.

scholarly journals Future Strategies to Enhance Patient Care Documentation Among Athletic Trainers: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 619-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cailee E. Welch Bacon ◽  
Tricia M. Kasamatsu ◽  
Kenneth C. Lam ◽  
Sara L. Nottingham
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Research Network ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Patient Care ◽  
Quality Of Patient Care ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Enhance Patient Care

Context:  High-quality patient care documentation is an essential component of any health care professional's daily practice. Whereas athletic trainers (ATs) recognize the importance of patient care documentation, several barriers may prevent them from producing high-quality patient care documentation. Objective:  To explore beneficial strategies and techniques that ATs perceived would enhance the quality of patient care documentation in the secondary school setting. Design:  Qualitative study. Setting:  Individual telephone interviews. Patients or Other Participants:  Ten ATs who were members of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network and employed in the secondary school setting were interviewed (4 men, 6 women with 7.1 ± 7.8 years of athletic training experience). Data Collection and Analysis:  An individual telephone interview was conducted with each participant. Once transcribed, data were analyzed into common themes and categories per the consensual qualitative research tradition. Trustworthiness of the data was achieved through triangulation strategies: (1) the inclusion of multiple researchers to ensure accuracy and representativeness of the data and (2) participant member checking. Results:  Participants identified several documentation strategies they perceived would be helpful to improve the quality of patient care documentation, including mode and consistency of documentation and the need for a standardized process as well as the need for system standardization. In addition, participants discussed the need for more education on patient care documentation. Specifically, they identified ways of learning and strategies for future education to enhance patient care documentation across the profession. Conclusions:  As athletic training continues to evolve, it is crucial that ATs are well educated on how to produce high-quality patient care documentation as a part of routine practice. Continuing professional development opportunities are needed to promote lifelong learning in the area of patient care documentation.

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.

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