scholarly journals Tenure Track Athletic Training Educators: Are they being set up to fail?

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 144-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Dewald ◽  
Katie Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tenure Track ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Allied Health Professions ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Athletic Training Educators ◽  
Set Up

Issues faced by tenure track AT education faculty are addressed and suggestions for those who are considering appointments as AT faculty are given. Literature and research from other allied health professions are provided as insights to AT faculty. We also suggest future research ideas related to AT educators. Finally, we consider future developments in the movement of athletic training education programs (ATEPs) into departments/schools of allied health and its impact on tenured AT faculty.

scholarly journals Issues in Selecting Methods of Evaluating Clinical Competence in the Health Professions: Implications for Athletic Training Education

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Middlemas ◽  
Carleton Hensal
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Clinical Competence ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Simulated Patients ◽  
Allied Health Professions ◽  
Athletic Training Educators

Objectives: To examine methods used to evaluate the clinical competence and proficiency of students in medicine and allied health professions. To identify factors that would be valuable to educators in athletic training and other medical and allied health professions in the development and use of clinical assessment methods. Data Sources: We searched EBSCO Academic, InfoTrac, MEDLINE and PubMed for literature from professional journals related to clinical education, assessing clinical competence, clinical competence, clinical proficiency assessment. Data Synthesis: Assessment of competence in the clinical setting is an issue for medicine and allied health education programs, including athletic training. Methods used to assess clinical competence included written, objective tests, checklists, oral examinations, patient management problems, simulated patients, observed clinical situations, the Observed Structured Clinical Exam and observation of students. Each method has its advantages and concerns. Psychometric issues relating to reliability, validity and generalizability arise in the development and implementation of clinical assessment instruments. In addition, there are concerns about how faculty expectations relate to student performance and how novices perform in the clinical setting as compared to experienced practitioners. Conclusions/Recommendations: Although specific outcomes may differ between the medical and allied health professions, athletic training educators can benefit from the lessons learned about methods used to evaluate students in the clinical setting. In an effort to capitalize on the benefits and minimize the problems with the assessment of clinical competence and proficiency, athletic training educators must be aware of the psychometric and outcome-related issues in test development. Attention should be paid to issues of reliability, validity and generalizability when developing tests. Clinical education outcomes must be developed in a manner that addresses the variety of cognitive levels at which clinicians function in professional practice to develop authentic assessments of clinical proficiency.

scholarly journals Factors of Persistence Among Graduates of Athletic Training Education Programs

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 665-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Bowman ◽  
Thomas M. Dodge
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Athletic Training Educators ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association ◽  
Member Checks

Context: Previous researchers have indicated that athletic training education programs (ATEPs) appear to retain students who are motivated and well integrated into their education programs. However, no researchers have examined the factors leading to successful persistence to graduation of recent graduates from ATEPs. Objective: To determine the factors that led students enrolled in a postprofessional education program accredited by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) to persist to graduation from accredited undergraduate ATEPs. Design: Qualitative study. Setting: Postprofessional education program accredited by the NATA. Patients or Other Participants: Fourteen graduates (12 women, 2 men) of accredited undergraduate entry-level ATEPs who were enrolled in an NATA-accredited postprofessional education program volunteered to participate. Data Collection and Analysis: We conducted semistructured interviews and analyzed data through a grounded theory approach. We used open, axial, and selective coding procedures. To ensure trustworthiness, 2 independent coders analyzed the data. The researchers then negotiated over the coding categories until they reached 100% agreement. We also performed member checks and peer debriefing. Results: Four themes emerged from the data. Decisions to persist to graduation from ATEPs appeared to be influenced by students' positive interactions with faculty, clinical instructors, and peers. The environment of the ATEPs also affected their persistence. Participants thought they learned much in both the clinic and the classroom, and this learning motivated them to persist. Finally, participants could see themselves practicing athletic training as a career, and this greatly influenced their eventual persistence. Conclusions: Our study gives athletic training educators insight into the reasons students persist to graduation from ATEPs. Specifically, athletic training programs should strive to develop close-knit learning communities that stress positive interactions between students and instructors. Athletic training educators also must work to present the athletic training field as exciting and dynamic.

scholarly journals A Conceptual Framework for Clinical Education in Athletic Training

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Radtke
Keyword(s):  
Health Professional ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Health Professional Education ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Allied Health Professional

Objective: To develop a model for clinical education in athletic training education based on integration of various allied health professional clinical education models. Background: Clinical education is a critical component of allied health education programs. It allows for the transfer of knowledge and skills from classroom to practical application. Clinical education needs to be structured. In addition the Clinical Instructor (CI) also needs to facilitate athletic training students' development into effective, evidence-based practitioners. Description: A brief discussion on the need for transfer of knowledge in athletic training education is discussed. A review of the various clinical education models from allied health professional education is presented. Finally, a model for athletic training clinical education is presented with implications for practice. Clinical Advantages: As athletic training education continues to develop, a need to formalize clinical education and develop a clinical education model for athletic training is warranted. Focusing on the structure and function of clinical education will continue to move athletic training education forward and will align athletic training education with other allied health professional education programs.

scholarly journals Achievement Goal Orientation for Athletic Training Education: Preparing for Lifelong Learning

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-9
Author(s):  
Kimberly S. Peer
Keyword(s):  
Student Achievement ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Goal Orientation ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Achievement Goal ◽  
Achievement Goal Orientation ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Athletic Training Educators

Objective: This review of literature presents the theoretical framework of goal orientation and student achievement from a pedagogical perspective while providing practical applications and implications for integrating goal orientation into athletic training education programs. Data Sources: Selected literature derived from EBSCO, Education Abstracts, CINAHL, PsychInfo and ERIC databases from 1980 to 2005 was reviewed. Key words for the search included achievement goal orientation, achievement motivation, and student engagement. Data Synthesis: Literature from educational psychology and pedagogy were reviewed to present key issues related to achievement goal orientation. The review addressed achievement goal theory relative to student engagement, task persistence, and adaptive behaviors. Additionally, implications for athletic training educators were generated for both didactic and clinical settings. Conclusions/Recommendations: Achievement goal orientation has profound implications on student learning and student achievement. Athletic training educators must be careful to create educational environments which foster self-regulated learning. Activities that assist students with goal construction and that monitor student progress toward a designated goal in the classroom and clinical settings should be of primary importance to athletic training educators. In a profession that requires lifelong learning; fostering strong achievement goals through student-centered activities can enhance the professional development of the student throughout the curriculum and beyond.

scholarly journals An Assessment of Burnout in Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program Directors

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M. Walter ◽  
Bonnie L. Van Lunen ◽  
Stacy E. Walker ◽  
Zahra C. Ismaeli ◽  
James A. Oñate
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
Personal Accomplishment ◽  
Tenure Track ◽  
Pearson Product Moment Correlation

Abstract Context: Athletic training education program directors (ATEPDs) often manage their time among students, program administration, and patient care. Objective: To assess the level of burnout in ATEPDs and to determine the relationship between burnout and various demographics of ATEPDs. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Public and private colleges and universities nationwide. Patients or Other Participants: Two hundred forty-nine ATEPDs of undergraduate athletic training education programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Intervention(s): We administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to all participants. Main Outcome Measure(s): The MBI consisted of 21 items assessing 3 characteristics of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Another component of the survey requested demographic information about the ATEPDs. We used univariate, multivariate, and factorial analyses of variance with the α level set a priori at .05. We also calculated Pearson product moment correlation coefficients. Results: Women had greater emotional exhaustion than men (20.67 ± 9.43 and 16.47 ± 9.64, respectively) (P  =  .001). The difference between tenure-status groups for emotional exhaustion was significant (P  =  .014), with tenure-track ATEPDs scoring higher on emotional exhaustion than tenured ATEPDs. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients revealed a weak negative relationship among emotional exhaustion and age (r  =  −0.263, P < .001), years of program director experience (r  =  −0.157, P  =  .013), and years at current job (r  =  −0.162, P  =  .010), indicating that as ATEPDs aged, gained more experience, and stayed in their current jobs, their emotional exhaustion scores decreased. There was also a weak negative relationship between age and depersonalization (r  =  −0.171, P  =  .007). There was a weak positive relationship between years at current job and personal accomplishment (r  =  0.197, P  =  .002). Conclusions: We found that ATEPDs experienced a moderate form of emotional exhaustion burnout and low depersonalization and personal accomplishment burnout, with women experiencing greater emotional exhaustion than males. Additionally, ATEPDs in tenure-track positions experienced greater emotional exhaustion than tenured ATEPDs. The ATEPDs need to obtain healthy coping strategies early within their directorships to manage components related to burnout.

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 Athletic Training Education: There's an App for That

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Keeley ◽  
Kelly Potteiger ◽  
Christopher D. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Student Knowledge ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Athletic Training Educators ◽  
New Generation

Context Mobile applications (apps) are growing in popularity due to the increased use of smartphones. Many available apps are educational in nature and may provide both students and educators freedom for learning to occur outside of the typical classroom environment. Objective To provide a description of relevant apps along with a brief synopsis of the suggested use by both athletic training educators and students. Additional information that may affect a user's app selection, such as cost, size of the download, and consumer ratings, if available, is also included. Background Applications (apps) are computer programs written specifically for Internet connected mobile phones and tablets. These programs perform specific functions for the user, usually through a touchscreen interface. Synthesis Connected devices are especially popular among the Millennial and Generation Z students now enrolled in various pre-professional healthcare programs. These students were raised with technology inundating their lives; therefore, they tend to desire the use of technology more frequently than older adults. Results Many apps are available, however this article highlights selected apps in the categories of (1) injury evaluation and management, (2) anatomy, and (3) productivity. Recommendation(s) Educators should become knowledgeable in mobile app technology in order to meet the needs of the new generation of students. Conclusion(s) Incorporating apps into athletic training education can enhance the delivery and retention of student knowledge and provide unique educational opportunities.

scholarly journals Address to the Attendees of the 2009 NATA Athletic Training Educators' Conference

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
R.T. Floyd
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Special Section ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Athletic Training Educators ◽  
Education Journal ◽  
Distinguished Educator ◽  
Educator Award

Editor's Note: There is a great deal to learn from our colleagues who have had critical and noteworthy contributions to athletic training education. We are pleased, therefore, to periodically include the Robert S. Behnke Keynote addresses from recipients of the Sayers “Bud” Miller Distinguished Educator Award in the current and forthcoming issues of the Athletic Training Education Journal. In this issue's special section we present the speech from R.T. Floyd, EdD, ATC, CSCS who received the Distinguished Educator Award in 2007. The wide ranging contributions by Dr. Floyd are found at http://www.nata.org/DEAwinners#2007.

scholarly journals Beyond the Basics: Providing Continuing Education Workshops for Preceptors; A Commentary

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Nottingham ◽  
Michelle Cleary ◽  
Jason Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Continuing Education ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Clinical Teaching ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Constructive Learning ◽  
Course Content

Current Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards allow education programs to determine the most appropriate format and content of preceptor workshops. Clinicians, including preceptors, have noted challenges trying to keep their knowledge updated with current standards of care and educational competencies. Clinicians and preceptors in our program and the literature have described challenges trying to keep knowledge current with changing standards of care, research evidence, and athletic training educational competencies. Preceptors also value applicable and easily accessible continuing education opportunities. In order to address these challenges and provide accessible continuing education opportunities for preceptors, the faculty in our professional education program have designed and implemented a series of preceptor workshops for the past two years. These workshops are offered approximately three times per year, and each workshop focuses on clinical teaching, clinical skills, or professional practice issues. We developed these workshops based on current literature, interests of our preceptors, and needs of our program in applicable, accessible formats. Much of the content is similar to academic course content, but the delivery is tailored to the experience levels of our practicing clinicians. Anecdotally, we have observed improved interactions between students and preceptors and more frequent implementation of updated standards of care by our preceptors. Preceptors positively rate these workshops and describe how they plan to change several aspects of their role as a preceptor as a result of attending the workshops. Considering clinicians face challenges keeping knowledge current and obtaining applicable continuing education opportunities, athletic training programs may consider providing continuing education opportunities to ensure that preceptors are able to provide a constructive learning environment. This article describes how providing these workshops directly to preceptors may allow athletic training education programs to tailor the content and delivery to clinician and program needs.

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