scholarly journals Athletic Training Students' and Preceptors' Perceptions of Active Learning Time and Bug-In-Ear Technology During Clinical Education Experiences

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 216-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara L. Nottingham ◽  
Tricia M. Kasamatsu ◽  
Melissa M. Montgomery

Context: Engaging clinical experiences that allow extensive active learning and patient care interactions are important for the professional development of athletic training students. Understanding students' use of clinical time is important when attempting to improve these experiences. Objective: To gain participants' perspectives on active learning during clinical education both with and without the use of bug-in-ear technology. Design: Qualitative. Setting: Three high schools, 2 rehabilitation clinics, 1 university, and 1 community college clinical sites within 3 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education–accredited undergraduate athletic training programs. Patients or Other Participants: Thirteen athletic training students (11 female, 2 male; 22 ± 2 years old, 2 ± 1 years enrolled in the current accredited athletic training program) and 8 preceptors (5 female, 3 male; 35 ± 10 years old, 3 ± 3 years of experience as a preceptor) volunteered for this study. Main Outcome Measure(s): After observation of the participants' clinical education experiences, individual in-person interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. We used an inductive process of open, axial, and selective coding to identify themes. Trustworthiness was established with member checking, multiple-analyst triangulation, and data source triangulation. Results: Three themes emerged from the data. Participants recognize that students spend much of their clinical time interacting with patients, completing administrative tasks, and doing custodial work. Participants noted their awareness of student activities increased after using the active learning assessment instrument. Lastly, participants perceived that bug-in-ear technology improved the efficiency of task completion but not the actual tasks completed. Conclusions: Since several factors influence the amount of active learning time spent during students' clinical education, athletic training programs may benefit from looking at their own students' time spent during clinical education. Asking students and preceptors to assess active learning time may help them and clinical education coordinators identify ways to increase active learning and decrease unengaged and managerial time.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara L. Nottingham ◽  
Melissa M. Montgomery ◽  
Tricia M. Kasamatsu

Context: Clinical education experiences that actively engage students in patient care are important to the development of competent clinicians. It is important to assess athletic training students' time spent clinically and explore new technology that may facilitate more active learning during clinical education. Objective: To assess athletic training students' active learning time with and without the use of bug-in-ear technology. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: High school, rehabilitation clinic, and college/university clinical sites affiliated with 3 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education–accredited undergraduate athletic training programs. Patients or Other Participants: Thirteen athletic training students (11 females, 2 males; 22.0 ± 1.8 years old, 1.8 ± 0.9 years enrolled in the current athletic training program) and 8 preceptors (5 females, 3 males; 35.4 ± 10.4 years old, 3.5 ± 2.9 years of experience as a preceptor) volunteered for this study. Intervention(s): The principal investigator observed preceptor-student interactions on 2 control days and 2 days using bug-in-ear technology. Participants and the principal investigator assessed students' active learning time at each observation period using the Athletic Training Clinical Education Time Framework. Main Outcome Measure(s): Minutes spent on instructional, clinical, managerial, engaged waiting, and down time as recorded on the Athletic Training Clinical Education Time Framework. Parametric (analysis of variance) and nonparametric (Wilcoxon signed-rank and Kruskal-Wallis) tests compared the perceived amount of time spent in each category between technologies and roles. Results: Bug-in-ear technology resulted in less time on managerial tasks (8.2% ± 5.1% versus 14.6% ± 9.8%; P < .01) and instruction (10.7% versus 12.7%, P < .01). The researcher observed significantly more unengaged waiting time than both the students and preceptors (both P < .01) perceived. Conclusions: Bug-in-ear technology may decrease managerial time and spoken instruction during clinical experiences. Preceptors and students significantly underestimate the amount of unengaged time spent during clinical education, which is of concern. Athletic training programs may also benefit from assessing and improving students' time spent actively learning during clinical education.



2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 182-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle ◽  
Thomas G. Bowman ◽  
Sarah S. Benes

Context Clinical experiences are an integral part of athletic training education and are where students gain the hands-on, practical knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality patient care in the field. However, some clinical education experiences may not allow athletic training students to become clinically integrated. Objective To explore athletic training students' perspectives on their clinical learning experiences, specifically as they relate to an engaging learning environment. Design Qualitative study. Setting Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education accredited undergraduate programs. Patients or Other Participants Twenty-one athletic training students (6 juniors; 15 seniors) with an average age of 22 years (20–23 years) from 4 National Athletic Trainers' Association districts volunteered to participate in our study. Data Collection and Analysis Participants responded to a series of open-ended questions by journaling their thoughts and opinions through the secure website QuestionPro. Data were analyzed using open coding that was guided by a general inductive procedure. Data credibility was established through peer review, interpretative member checks, and multiple analyst triangulation. Results Our cohort identified an engaging learning environment as one that allowed active learning and participation as an athletic trainer and included communication between the student and preceptor, patient interactions, and instructor feedback regarding development and application of skills and knowledge. Conclusions Athletic training students prefer a more active learning style and value observing their preceptor engage in patient care, but they also want the opportunity to practice their athletic training skills to gain competence and confidence.



2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Bowman ◽  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle ◽  
Jessica L. Barrett

Context: Athletic training students' ability to transition into professional practice is a critical component for the future of the profession. However, research on professional master's students' transition to practice and readiness to provide autonomous care is lacking. Objective: To determine professional master's athletic training students' perceptions regarding how they were prepared to transition to practice as clinicians. Design: Qualitative study. Setting: Professional master's athletic training programs. Patients or Other Participants: Sixteen students, 8 program directors, and 5 faculty members from professional master's athletic training programs. Main Outcome Measure(s): An online questionnaire was distributed via Qualtrics and analyzed using an inductive technique. Participants responded to a series of open-ended questions related to the structure and curricular offerings of their respective programs. We secured trustworthiness through multiple analyst triangulation and peer review. Results: We found that both students and faculty identified clinical education as the major facilitator in the socialization process used to prepare students for the transition into clinical practice. Three further subthemes emerged: (1) Both stakeholder groups felt that students gained experience through diverse and immersive clinical education experiences; (2) Preceptors provided mentorship; and (3) Students developed confidence to enter clinical practice as a result of these supported experiences. Conclusions: Professional master's programs provide clinical education experiences designed to help athletic training students gain the skills and confidence necessary to become autonomous practitioners. The diversity and mentorship contained within these experiences facilitates confidence and preparedness.



2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Bowman ◽  
William A. Pitney ◽  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle ◽  
Thomas M. Dodge

Context Student retention is a key issue in higher education. With the increasing number of professional master's (PM) athletic training programs (ATPs), understanding student retention is necessary to maintain viable programs. Objective Explore program directors' perceptions of the reasons athletic training students persist and depart from PM ATPs. Design Qualitative study. Setting Professional master's athletic training programs. Patients or Other Participants We asked directors from all PM ATPs nationwide to complete an online survey. We obtained responses from 60.0% (15 out of 25) of the population. We also completed follow-up telephone interviews with directors from 8 PM ATPs. Main Outcome Measure(s) Directors of PM ATPs completed an online survey asking for reasons for student persistence and departure. We also conducted follow-up telephone interviews with randomly selected participants. During the telephone interviews, we asked participants for additional detail regarding the enrollment decisions of students. Results PM ATP directors stated that students persist due to their commitment to the profession and the interpersonal relationships they build with the program stakeholders. Conversely, students depart PM ATPs due to the rigor associated with completion, a change in career aspirations, and financial concerns. Conclusions Athletic training educators should strive to keep commitment and motivation levels high while fostering positive interpersonal relationships by providing a welcoming atmosphere and engaging clinical education experiences. Finally, mentors should be available to assist students with program completion, and students should have options available for defraying the cost associated with completing the PM ATP.



2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle ◽  
Kelly D. Pagnotta ◽  
Anthony C. Salvatore ◽  
Douglas J. Casa

ContextEducational training programs both impart knowledge and allow students to practice skills to gain clinical competence.ObjectiveUnderstand the educational training provided to athletic training students regarding sudden death in sport beyond exertional heat stroke.DesignAn exploratory, qualitative study using telephone interviews and a quantitative survey instrument.SettingAthletic training programs (ATPs) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.Patients or Other ParticipantsTwelve ATP faculty members (7 men, 5 women) currently teaching content related to sudden death in sport participated.Data Collection and AnalysisOne-on-one semistructured telephone interviews were analyzed inductively using a grounded theory approach and open coding. Multiple analyst triangulation and peer review established data credibility.ResultsFour major themes emerged from the data to describe the educational experiences provided to athletic training students regarding sudden death: (1) current trends, (2) regional bias, (3) clinician experience, and (4) instructional methods. The first 3 themes were an illustration of which sudden death conditions were covered in the curriculum, as well as the depth to which each of the concepts was covered. The final theme was a reflection of methods used to deliver the information determined by the first 3 themes.ConclusionsSimilar to previous literature, our participants were guided by the NATA position statements to deliver educational material, used time spent in clinical education to gain hands-on learning, and discourse to facilitate preparedness.



2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Heinerichs ◽  
Neil Curtis ◽  
Alison Gardiner-Shires

Context: Athletic training students (ATSs) are involved in various situations during the clinical experience that may cause them to express levels of frustration. Understanding levels of frustration in ATSs is important because frustration can affect student learning, and the clinical experience is critical to their development as professionals. Objective:  To explore perceived levels of frustration in ATSs during clinical situations and to determine if those perceptions differ based on sex. Design:  Cross-sectional study with a survey instrument. Setting:  A total of 14 of 19 professional, undergraduate athletic training programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education in Pennsylvania. Patients or Other Participants:  Of a possible 438 athletic training students, 318 (72.6%) completed the survey. Main Outcomes Measure(s):  The Athletic Training Student Frustration Inventory was developed and administered. The survey gathered demographic information and included 24 Likert-scale items centering on situations associated with the clinical experience. Descriptive statistics were computed on all items. The Mann-Whitney U was used to evaluate differences between male and female students. Results:  A higher level of frustration was perceived during the following clinical situations: lack of respect by student-athletes and coaching staffs, the demands of the clinical experience, inability of ATSs to perform or remember skills, and ATSs not having the opportunity to apply their skills daily. Higher levels of frustration were perceived in female than male ATSs in several areas. Conclusions:  Understanding student frustration during clinical situations is important to better appreciate the clinical education experience. Low levels of this emotion are expected; however, when higher levels exist, learning can be affected. Whereas we cannot eliminate student frustrations, athletic training programs and preceptors need to be aware of this emotion in order to create an environment that is more conducive to learning.



2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-147
Author(s):  
Bonnie J. Siple ◽  
Rodney K. Hopson ◽  
Helen C. Sobehart ◽  
Paula Sammarone Turocy

Context: Black women are dramatically underrepresented in the health care profession of athletic training. The research identifies impeding barriers such as racism, sexism, lack of support, and unpreparedness to the successful college completion of ethnically diverse students. However, there are black women who have successfully overcome those impeding barriers to become athletic trainers (ATs). Mentoring is one factor that has been identified as supportive to the retention of ethnically diverse college students. Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify impeding barriers and promoting factors affecting the retention and credentialing of black women ATs. Design: Qualitative. Setting: Education. Patients or Other Participants: Ten certified ATs who self-identify as black women and matriculated through athletic training programs over the last 4 decades. Main Outcome Measure(s): The perceived factors that impede or promote successful college retention and attainment of the Board of Certification credential of black women athletic training students. Results: There are barriers that impede and factors that promote the successful matriculation of black women athletic training students. Impeding barriers include a lack of support, sexism, and racism. Factors that promote include personal characteristics; experience with white culture; faculty, preceptor, and peer support; and the clinical education experience. Conclusions: Recognizing the factors that impede or promote the academic persistence of black women in athletic training programs allows athletic training educators and preceptors to improve the experiences of black women enrolled in those programs and potentially increase their participation and advancement in the athletic training profession.



2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-234
Author(s):  
Gillian T. Shaughnessy ◽  
Ashley K. Crossway ◽  
Lindsey E. Eberman ◽  
Sean M. Rogers ◽  
Zachary K. Winkelmann

Context The United States transgender patient population often suffers from insufficient health care and faces barriers to obtaining health care. Understanding the current classroom education provided in professional athletic training programs related to patient-centered and transgender patient care is necessary to foster improvements to the education of future health care providers. Objective To explore the education, comfort, and experience of professional athletic training students and program directors (PDs) on patient-centered care (PCC) and transgender patient care. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Online survey. Patients or Other Participants A total of 74 PDs of Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training programs (age = 46 ± 9 years) and 452 athletic training students (age = 23 ± 3 years) responded to the survey. Data Collection and Analysis Two surveys were created from literature and were reviewed by a committee of content experts. Participants were sent links to their respective survey in March 2020. Surveys contained questions on demographic information, PCC, and transgender patient care. Data were analyzed descriptively with follow-up χ2 analyses comparing athletic training students' comfort and competence between those who learned and did not learn about transgender patient care. Results Most PDs reportedly felt comfortable (98.6%, n = 73) and competent (94.6%, n = 70) teaching PCC. Half (50% n = 37/74) of PDs include transgender health care in their program's curriculum but lacked competence (37.8%, n = 28) in teaching. All students felt comfortable (100%, n = 452) and competent (98.7%, n = 446) practicing PCC, but only 12.4% (n = 54) reported practicing it during clinical education. Less than half (43.1%, n = 195/452) of students learned about transgender patient care, yet most (78.3%, n = 354) felt comfortable but lacked competence (41.8% n = 189). Conclusions Few students reportedly practice PCC during clinical education. Both groups perceived deficiencies in competence related to transgender patient care. We suggest PDs teach transgender health care in their curriculum and seek professional development to create meaningful educational experiences.



2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
Sara Nottingham

Communication between athletic training programs and preceptors is not only an accreditation requirement, but also a mechanism to foster effective clinical education experiences. Communicating regularly with preceptors can provide them with feedback and help demonstrate their value to the athletic training program. Improved communication between academic and clinical education has been identified as a need in athletic training. Ongoing communication can be facilitated in a variety of formal and informal ways, including preceptor newsletters, site visits, questionnaires, meetings, and phone calls. Clinical education coordinators should select methods of communication that meet the needs of their program and preceptors.



2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-167
Author(s):  
Dani M. Moffit ◽  
Jamie L. Mansell ◽  
Anne C. Russ

Context: Accrediting bodies and universities increasingly require evidence of student learning within courses and programs. Within athletic training, programmatic assessment has been a source of angst for program directors. While there are many ways to assess educational programs, this article introduces 1 systematic approach. Objective: This article describes the steps necessary to create an assessment plan that meets the needs of the accrediting body, the program, and the athletic training students. Background: Assessment helps determine if the program's goals and objectives are meeting the athletic training students' needs. Program review cannot be accomplished in a manner that is helpful unless the assessment plan is systematic, planned, and ongoing. Recommendation(s): Effective and systematic assessment plans provide a framework for program evaluation, modification, and improvement. Conclusion(s): Assessment should be an ongoing process which creates opportunities for active learning. Clinical education needs to be included in the overall programmatic assessment, as those courses provide application of didactic learning.



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