Learning Professionalism in Athletic Training Education

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie I. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Professional Behaviors ◽  
Approved Clinical Instructors ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association ◽  
Definition Of

Objective: Student learning of professionalism in athletic training education programs (ATEPs) can be varied and even elusive. The purpose of this article is to define professionalism and discuss its development in athletic training students. Background: Medical professions have studied extensively how students learn professionalism. However, with some studies reporting up to 90 different associated characteristics, no set definition of professionalism has been adopted. Students may learn professional behaviors in the classroom and the clinic. Research in medical education reports that a majority of this learning occurs in the clinical environment. Description: There are numerous ways to promote the learning of professionalism in athletic training students. After engaging each student personally in this pursuit, techniques such as communicating the mission and code of ethics of the National Athletic Trainers ' Association (NATA), clearly stating expectations the ATEP holds of students ' professional behavior, providing a variety of learning opportunities in different clinical settings, carefully selecting approved clinical instructors (ACIs), and using self-assessment and reflection are a few of the techniques recommended. The importance of the role of ACIs in the development of professional behaviors in athletic training students is stressed. Advantages: Without purposefully including the learning of professionalism in ATEP curriculums (the classroom and clinical experiences), students are at risk of not being prepared to represent and promote athletic training at the highest levels within the allied health professions.

Defining the Engaging Learning Experience from the Athletic Training Student Perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 182-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle ◽  
Thomas G. Bowman ◽  
Sarah S. Benes
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association

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.

scholarly journals Peer Assessment of Clinical Skills and Professional Behaviors Among Undergraduate Athletic Training Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanine M. Engelmann
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Compression Test ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Peer Assessment ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Professional Behaviors ◽  
Senior Student ◽  
Lachman Test

Context: Peer assessment is widely used in medical education as a formative evaluation and preparatory tool for students. Athletic training students learn similar knowledge, skills, and affective traits as medical students. Peer assessment has been widely studied with beneficial results in medical education, yet athletic training education has thus far produced only 2 studies that address the use of peer assessment with athletic training students. Objective: To identify whether undergraduate athletic training students accurately and reliably assess their peers on clinical skills and professional behaviors. Design: Quasi-experimental between-groups and within-group. Setting: Medical exam office. Patients or Other Participants: Junior and senior athletic training students, classroom faculty and clinical preceptors (instructors) from the same Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education athletic training program. Intervention(s): One instructor and 2 students concurrently performed an assessment in real-time of 5 clinical skills performed by a junior or senior student. Clinical skills demonstrated were the Biceps Femoris Manual Muscle Test (BFMMT), Lachman Test, Kleiger Test, Noble's Compression Test, and Thompson Test. Main Outcome Measure(s): Each student group's scores were compared with instructor group scores to determine the accuracy of the assessment. Each student group's scores were compared within-group to determine reliability of student scores. Accuracy and reliability of clinical skills were measured using the Cohen κ coefficient. A weighted Cohen κ coefficient was used for professional behavior measures. Results: Senior students were accurate (P < .05) for all clinical skills and professional behaviors and reliable (P < .05) for the BFMMT, Thompson Test, and professional behaviors. Junior students were accurate (P < .05) for all clinical skills except the Lachman Test and reliable (P < .05) for the BFMMT and Noble's Compression Test. Conclusions: Students are able to assess the clinical skills of their peers with the same consistency as instructors during a live skills demonstration. Year in school may affect ability to assess professional behaviors.

scholarly journals Perceived Preparedness of Graduate Assistant Approved Clinical Instructors for Supervision of Athletic Training Students in Professional Programs

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Pircher ◽  
Michelle A. Sandrey ◽  
Mia Erickson
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Performance Ratings ◽  
First Year ◽  
Clinical Instructors ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Graduate Assistant ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Professional Programs ◽  
Approved Clinical Instructors ◽  
Perceived Preparedness

Context: Approved clinical instructors (ACIs) are crucial for the development of athletic training students. Graduate students often serve as ACIs and usually do not have extensive clinical experience, and therefore may not feel adequately prepared to supervise students. Objectives: 1) To determine the perceived preparedness of graduate assistant ACIs in the supervision of athletic training students in professional programs; 2) To determine perceptions of ACI training. Design: Prospective, exploratory. Setting: Programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) for five years or more. Participants: Thirty-three out of 140 graduate assistant ACIs (23.5% response rate) at 27 athletic training programs. Instrumentation: A 47-item Graduate Assistant ACI Perceived Preparedness online questionnaire. Data Analysis: Frequencies and percentages were used to describe the responses for questionnaire items; an ANOVA was used to examine self-assessment ratings among participant groups. Results: Participants felt prepared in learning styles (79%), ACI responsibilities (100%), evaluation and feedback of student performance (79%). They felt most prepared to evaluate and provide feedback in students' clinical skills and least prepared in evaluating and providing feedback for professional behaviors. The greatest challenges faced by participants included time constraints (69.7%), controlling the learning environment (57.6%), and understanding institutional policies and procedures related to clinical education (39.4%). When asked to self-assess their first-year performance supervising students on a scale of 0 (worst performance) to 10 (best performance), the mean [SD] score reported was 6.97 [1.2]. There were no differences in first-year self-assessment performance ratings between participants who thought ACI training was adequate and/or beneficial and those who did not (P=0.05). Conclusion: Most of the participants felt prepared to be an ACI as a graduate assistant and believed the ACI training to be adequate and beneficial. There were no differences in self-reported first-year performance ratings between participants who believed their training to be adequate and beneficial and those who did not.

Factors Influencing Athletic Training Students' Perceptions of the Athletic Training Profession and Career Choice

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah S. Benes ◽  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle
Keyword(s):  
Career Choice ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Clinical Experiences ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Training Professionals ◽  
Negative Perceptions ◽  
Member Checks

Context Successful athletic training programs should help students develop a desire to work within the athletic training profession while providing adequate preparation for them to enter the workforce. Understanding athletic training students' perceptions of the profession as they leave programs and the factors that influence these perceptions is critical in ensuring retention of graduating students in the field. Objective To examine senior athletic training students' [SATSs] attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of the athletic training profession and to gain insight into the factors that influence their career choice. Design Qualitative study. Setting Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education–accredited athletic training education programs. Patients or Other Participants A total of 26 SATSs (7 men, 19 women) who graduated in 2011. Main Outcome Measure(s) We collected data using semistructured phone interviews and implemented a grounded theory approach to analyze the data. We used member checks and multiple-analyst triangulation strategies to establish the trustworthiness of the data. Results The SATSs reported positive and negative perceptions about the profession within 2 major categories: (1) aspects of the profession and (2) public understanding of the profession. “Aspects of the profession” was described by long hours/schedule, low salary, family conflict issues, future of the profession, dynamism of the profession, and profession people enjoy. The “Public understanding of the profession” was articulated by public misconception and a lack of respect for the profession. Factors that influence their perceptions are related to prior experience with athletic training/sports, clinical experiences, and interaction with athletic training professionals. Conclusions The SATSs have developed positive and negative perceptions about the profession through their professional preparations. These are influenced by their progression through the program wherein they develop confidence and feel prepared to enter the workforce with a better understanding of and passion for the profession.

Reflective Observation in the Clinical Education Setting: A Way to Promote Learning

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle ◽  
Thomas G. Bowman ◽  
Sarah S. Benes
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Student Development ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Observational Learning ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Athletic Training Student ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association

Context Clinical experiences help athletic training students gain real-time learning experiences by engaging in patient care. Observational learning has been identified as important to athletic training student development, yet little is known about its effectiveness. Objective To explore the athletic training students' perspectives on their experiences in the clinical education setting, particularly examining the effectiveness of observational learning. Design Qualitative study. Setting Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)-accredited undergraduate programs. Patients or Other Participants Twenty-four athletic training students (7 juniors and 17 seniors) from 4 National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) districts volunteered to participant in our study. The average age was 21 years (range, 20–23 years). Main Outcome Measure(s) Participants responded to a series of open-ended questions by journaling their thoughts and opinions through the secure Web site QuestionPro. Questions examined clinical education experiences and learning preferences. The resulting data were analyzed using a general inductive procedure, and credibility was established by employing peer review, member checks, and multiple analyst triangulation. Results Our analysis revealed that observational learning can benefit students when academic standing is considered, the circumstances are right, and it allows for directed mentoring. Our participants valued opportunities to engage in observational learning, as long as it was limited and purposeful. Conclusions All 24 participants identified themselves as hands-on learners who preferred to be actively engaged during their learning experiences, but who also valued opportunities to observe their preceptors demonstrating and modeling appropriate skills and behaviors before engaging in the same practices themselves. Today's student, the millennial, appears to favor visual learning, which may partially explain why our cohort of athletic training students described observational learning as advantageous in certain situations.

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 Evaluation of Athletic Training Students' Clinical Proficiencies

2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy E. Walker ◽  
Thomas G. Weidner ◽  
Kirk J. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Clinical Experience ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Content Areas ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Program Characteristics

Abstract Context: Appropriate methods for evaluating clinical proficiencies are essential in ensuring entry-level competence. Objective: To investigate the common methods athletic training education programs use to evaluate student performance of clinical proficiencies. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: Public and private institutions nationwide. Patients or Other Participants: All program directors of athletic training education programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs as of January 2006 (n  =  337); 201 (59.6%) program directors responded. Data Collection and Analysis: The institutional survey consisted of 11 items regarding institutional and program demographics. The 14-item Methods of Clinical Proficiency Evaluation in Athletic Training survey consisted of respondents' demographic characteristics and Likert-scale items regarding clinical proficiency evaluation methods and barriers, educational content areas, and clinical experience settings. We used analyses of variance and independent t tests to assess differences among athletic training education program characteristics and the barriers, methods, content areas, and settings regarding clinical proficiency evaluation. Results: Of the 3 methods investigated, simulations (n  =  191, 95.0%) were the most prevalent method of clinical proficiency evaluation. An independent-samples t test revealed that more opportunities existed for real-time evaluations in the college or high school athletic training room (t189  =  2.866, P  =  .037) than in other settings. Orthopaedic clinical examination and diagnosis (4.37 ± 0.826) and therapeutic modalities (4.36 ± 0.738) content areas were scored the highest in sufficient opportunities for real-time clinical proficiency evaluations. An inadequate volume of injuries or conditions (3.99 ± 1.033) and injury/condition occurrence not coinciding with the clinical proficiency assessment timetable (4.06 ± 0.995) were barriers to real-time evaluation. One-way analyses of variance revealed no difference between athletic training education program characteristics and the opportunities for and barriers to real-time evaluations among the various clinical experience settings. Conclusions: No one primary barrier hindered real-time clinical proficiency evaluation. To determine athletic training students' clinical proficiency for entry-level employment, athletic training education programs must incorporate standardized patients or take a disciplined approach to using simulation for instruction and evaluation.

scholarly journals The Use of Standardized Patients in Athletic Training Education

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy E. Walker ◽  
Thomas G. Weidner
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Standardized Patients ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Standardized Patient ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Immediate Feedback ◽  
Standardized Patient Encounters

Context: Standardized patients are widely used in health care programs to both teach and evaluate the communication and clinical skills of students. Although athletic training education programs (ATEPs) commonly use simulations, little information exists related to the use and implementation of standardized patients (SPs). Objective: To provide strategies to use SPs with athletic training students and limited resources. Background: Standardized patient encounters differ from simulations. Simulations require students to perform clinical skills on a mock patient or athlete who has no training to consistently portray a particular injury or illness. SP encounters are consistent, carefully crafted portrayals of injuries or illnesses by trained individuals. Synthesis: A feasible way to use SPs in an ATEP is the time-in-time-out method which allows students to not only examine a SP, but also interact with and obtain immediate feedback from their instructor. Research with athletic training students has revealed that SP encounters are both realistic and worthwhile. Many resources exist to initiate the use of standardized patients in ATEPs, including various research publications, and online resources such as MedEd Portal and the Association of Standardized Patient Educators. Results: The use of SPs enhances learning opportunities for students and provides a format for real-time evaluation for instructors. Recommendation(s): Educators should consider using athletic training students and/or theater students to serve as SPs. Also, a local hospital or other SP programs at a local university may offer the use of their facilities or resources to initiate the use of SPs in your ATEP. Conclusion(s): Many resources are needed to implement the use of standardized patients into an ATEP, but the experience can be well worth the expense to provide a realistic and worthwhile learning experience for students.

scholarly journals Novice to Expert Practice via Postprofessional Athletic Training Education: A Grounded Theory

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Neibert
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Woven Fabric ◽  
Novice To Expert ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association ◽  
Axial Coding ◽  
Member Checks ◽  
Expert Practice

Abstract To discover the theoretic constructs that confirm, disconfirm, or extend the principles and their applications appropriate for National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)–accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs.Objective: Interviews at the 2003 NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia.Design: Qualitative study using grounded theory procedures.Setting: Thirteen interviews were conducted with postprofessional graduates. Participants were purposefully selected based on theoretic sampling and availability.Patients and Other Participants: The transcribed interviews were analyzed using open coding, axial coding, and selective coding procedures. Member checks, reflective journaling, and triangulation were used to ensure trustworthiness.Data Collection and Analysis: The participants' comments confirmed and extended the current principles of postprofessional athletic training education programs and offered additional suggestions for more effective practical applications.Results: The emergence of this central category of novice to expert practice is a paramount finding. The tightly woven fabric of the 10 processes, when interlaced with one another, provides a strong tapestry supporting novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education. The emergence of this theoretic position pushes postprofessional graduate athletic training education forward to the future for further investigation into the theoretic constructs of novice to expert practice.Conclusions:

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