scholarly journals Educational Preparation and Experiences in the Industrial-Occupational Setting: A Qualitative Study of Athletic Training Graduates' Perspectives

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim F. Schilling
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Educational Preparation ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Occupational Setting ◽  
Textual Data

Context: The industrial-occupational setting provides a workplace of substantial potential for the athletic training graduate. Acquiring input from entry-level athletic trainers (ATs) pertaining to experiences, knowledge, and skills necessary to be successful in the industrial-occupational setting is critical information for future Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) curriculums, continuing education, and post-graduate fellowships. Objective: To gain understanding of the experiences encountered and education needed for successful preparation as an entry-level AT in the industrial-occupational setting. Design: Qualitative Setting: Industrial-Occupational Participants: Seven professional-level industrial ATs Data Collection and Analysis: Structured interview questions were used with an electronic platform. Participants were questioned relating to their experiences and perceptions pertaining to educational preparation for the industrial-occupational setting. An inductive content analysis was performed for textual data analysis. Results: The rationale for acquiring positions in the industrial-occupational setting upon graduation was due to fewer hours and higher salaries, but once hired the most positive experience and greatest job satisfaction came from helping people. The area the participants felt ill-prepared was ergonomics, but respondents felt well-prepared in injury evaluation and treatment. They also commented that gaining respect from the company was the most challenging aspect when entering the industrial-occupational setting as an entry-level AT. Conclusion: Graduates are attracted to the salary and hours associated with the industrial-occupational setting, but helping people provided the greatest job satisfaction. Although most entry-level ATs perceived themselves as well prepared for the industrial-occupational setting, weakness in the area of ergonomics was identified.

scholarly journals Educational Preparation and Experiences in the Clinical Setting: Entry-Level Clinical Athletic Trainers' Perspectives

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Schilling
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Educational Preparation ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Analysis Strategy

Context: The clinical job setting: (Outpatient/Ambulatory/Rehabilitation Clinic) should no longer be referred to as a nontraditional setting as it employs the greatest percentage of certified members. Understanding the experiences, knowledge, and skills necessary to be successful in the clinical setting as entry-level certified athletic trainers (ATs) is critical information for future Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) curriculums, continuing education, and post-graduate fellowships. Objective: To gain an understanding of the general experiences encountered and perceived educational preparation necessary for entry-level ATs in the clinical setting. Design: Online questionnaire. Setting: Clinical. Participants: 15 entry-level clinical ATs. Main Outcome Measures: Experiences and educational preparation in the clinical setting as perceived by clinical ATs using an inductive content analysis strategy. Results: Most subjects entered the clinical setting upon graduation and were attracted by fewer hours and higher salaries. The most positive experience once hired was learning from colleagues and the greatest job satisfaction occurred when helping people. The participants also suggested that future graduates should feel confident when entering this setting. While the participants felt ill-prepared regarding insurance issues and communication skills, they felt well-prepared in injury evaluation and treatment. Overall, they found insurance restrictions limiting the scope of care they could give the most challenging. Conclusion: Athletic training graduates are attracted to the higher salary and shorter work hours associated with the clinical setting, but still associate helping people as primary to their job satisfaction. Although most entry-level ATs perceived themselves as well prepared for the clinical setting, weakness in the areas of insurance issues and communication skills were identified.

scholarly journals Current Athletic Training Educational Preparation for Dry Needling

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Hortz ◽  
Sue Falsone ◽  
Duncan Tulimieri
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Athletic Trainer ◽  
Advanced Practice ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Educational Preparation ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Panel Review

Purpose: Dry needling is an advanced practice skill that many athletic trainers are being trained to perform. The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which the current athletic training educational competencies and standards prepare practitioners for the performance of dry needling tasks. Methods: An expert panel review was used to verify which of the dry needling tasks are currently taught through entry-level athletic education as defined by the 5th edition competencies and 2020 standards. Results: Results demonstrated that 11% of the tasks were dry needling specific and these were regarded as not provided through entry-level education. However, 89% of the tasks were provided through entry-level education. Conclusions: It is clear that current athletic training education adequately prepares an athletic trainer to learn dry needling as an advance practice skill as a large number of the Competencies for Dry Needling are taught within athletic training entry-level education.

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.

Delegation and Empowerment in CAATE Accredited Athletic Training Education Programs

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Hoch ◽  
Kristi White ◽  
Chad Starkey ◽  
B. Andrew Krause
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Academic Role ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Survey Instruments ◽  
Administrative Tasks

Context: The use of delegation can potentially alleviate some of the stress with administering an athletic training education program (ATEP) and allow program directors (PDs) to focus on other aspects of their academic role. Objectives: To determine the reasons PDs delegate and do not delegate tasks to other faculty of ATEPs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), and to determine if clinical education coordinators (CECs) of accredited ATEPs feel empowered when completing these tasks. Design and Setting: Survey of CECs and PDs of CAATE accredited entry-level ATEPs. Patients or other participants: At the time of this research there were 358 CAATE accredited entry-level ATEPs; 143 of these institutions had both CECs and PDs on staff resulting in 286 possible participants. Data Collection and Analysis: We developed two electronic survey instruments and established the validity and reliability. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and rank administrative tasks. Results: We ranked five reasons PDs delegate and do not delegate administrative tasks to the other faculty of the ATEP. For over 80% (n=25) of the PDs surveyed, frequency statistics suggested that lack of confidence and lack of trust in others were the number one and number two reasons, respectively, for not delegating tasks to other faculty. Also, PDs ranked improving productivity as their primary reason to delegate tasks to other members of the ATEP. Finally, CECs felt empowered 59% of the time when completing assigned tasks. Conclusions: When used properly, delegation can alleviate some of the job stresses PDs face in accredited entry-level ATEPs. However, in order for delegation to improve the PDs and CECs job satisfaction, the CECs must feel empowered when completing these tasks to the level CAATE requires.

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 Recently Certified Athletic Trainers' Undergraduate Educational Preparation in Psychosocial Intervention and Referral

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Lynn Stiller-Ostrowski ◽  
John A. Ostrowski
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Psychosocial Intervention ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Area ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Context: “Psychosocial Intervention and Referral” is one of the 12 content areas established by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Education Council and is required to be taught in athletic training education programs (ATEPs). The perceived preparation of athletic trainers (ATs) in this content area has not been evaluated. Objective: To explore the preparation level of recently certified ATs within the content area of “Psychosocial Intervention and Referral.” Design: Qualitative design involving semistructured, in-depth, focus group interviews. Setting: Interviews were conducted at 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institutions in 2 regions of the United States. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 11 recently certified ATs who met predetermined criteria were recruited. The ATs represented a range of undergraduate ATEPs and current employment settings. Data Collection and Analysis: Focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed deductively. Peer debriefing and member checks were used to ensure trustworthiness. Results: The ATEPs are doing an adequate job of preparing ATs for many common communication and interpersonal issues, but ATs report being underprepared to deal with athlete-related issues in the areas of motivation and adherence, counseling and social support, mental skills training, and psychosocial referral. Conclusions: Limitations of undergraduate ATEPs regarding preparation of athletic training students within the “Psychosocial Intervention and Referral” content area were identified, with the goal of improving athletic training education. The more we know about the issues that entry-level ATs face, the more effectively we can structure athletic training education.

scholarly journals Strategies for Highly Effective Athletic Training Education Program Directors: A Practical Approach to Interdependence

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
James E. Leone ◽  
Kimberly A. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Literary Work ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
Professional Preparation ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Highly Effective

Objective: Following Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, this article seeks to communicate effective strategies for athletic training education Program Directors (PDs) to follow. Commentary of Covey's work and practical strategies to integrate them into PD practice and responsibilities are provided. Background: Due to a lack of professional preparation, Program Directors often relate to what they know best–working long hours to get the job accomplished. It is not uncommon for PDs to mirror the work schedules of clinically practicing certified athletic trainers. With this in mind, we propose approaching the role of PD using Stephen Covey's wisdom from his literary work, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Practical strategies for integrating Covey's work into a PD's daily responsibilities, as well as remaining compliant with CAATE Standard expectations, are discussed.

scholarly journals Opioids and an Active Population: Athletic Trainers' Perceptions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Bates
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Active Population ◽  
Member Checks

Purpose: Opioid use, misuse, and abuse are occurring in both high school and collegiate athletes. There is limited research that examines athletic trainers' perceptions of opioids. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate athletic trainers’ awareness and practice of opioids in an active population. Method: Qualitative inquiry was used to explore athletic trainers' awareness of opioids in an active population. Ten athletic trainers (7 male, 3 female) employed in the Northwest Athletic Training Association (6 collegiate, 4 high schools) volunteered for this study. Phone interviews were conducted in July to September 2017 with a semi-structured interview protocol. Interview data were analyzed inductively to uncover dominant themes, first by organizing the data, then summarizing into codes, and finally interpreting. Trustworthiness included both peer review and member checks. Results: Three themes emerged from this study regarding athletic trainers' practice with opioids: 1) athletic trainers have a responsibility to their patients regarding opioids, 2) communication with patients about opioids, and 3) athletic trainer perceived a lack of education regarding opioids. Conclusions: Evidence demonstrated that athletic trainers feel they have a role with opioids and their patients. While the majority of participants in this study did discuss opioids with their patients, athletic trainers felt they were lacking knowledge of opioids. Future research should explore athletic trainers’ knowledge and education surrounding opioids and an active population.

scholarly journals Distinctions between Athletic Training Education Programs at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary B. Wilkerson ◽  
Marisa A. Colston ◽  
Brian T. Bogdanowicz
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Planned Change ◽  
Educational Structure ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Practitioner Knowledge ◽  
Structural Differences

Objective: To provide a historical perspective on factors that have shaped the current structure of athletic training education, and to advocate development of a new conceptual framework for a continuum of professional education in athletic training. Background: Athletic training is a relatively young profession that has undergone significant planned change in education and credentialing to enhance the practitioner knowledge and to promote the credibility of the profession within the healthcare community. However, comparison of the prevailing model for basic and advanced professional education in athletic training to those of other health professions reveals major structural differences. In an effort to promote an integrated approach to the spectrum of athletic training education, and to be consistent with terminology used by other health professions, the term professional education is used to designate entry-level education and the term post-professional education is used to designate post-certification, or advanced, education. Conclusions: Perceived problems with the current educational structure, along with advocated changes, are presented to clarify issues that will affect the future of the athletic training profession. Although change inevitably generates controversy, a failure to address these issues will almost certainly impede advancement of the profession.

scholarly journals Initial Validation of a Multilevel Model of Job Satisfaction and Career Intentions Among Collegiate Athletic Trainers

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 709-715
Author(s):  
Christianne M. Eason ◽  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle ◽  
William A. Pitney
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Multilevel Model ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Athletic Trainer ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Career Intentions ◽  
Work Family

Context:  The constructs of job satisfaction and career intentions in athletic training have been examined predominantly via unilevel assessment. The work-life interface is complex, and with troubling data regarding attrition, job satisfaction and career intentions should be examined via a multilevel model. Currently, no known multilevel model of career intentions and job satisfaction exists within athletic training. Objective:  To validate a multilevel model of career intentions and job satisfaction among a collegiate athletic trainer population. Design:  Cross-sectional study. Setting:  Web-based questionnaire. Patients or Other Participants:  Athletic trainers employed in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, or III or a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics college or university (N = 299; 56.5% female, 43.5% male). The average age of participants was 34 ± 8.0 years, and average experience as an athletic trainer was 10.0 ± 8 years. Main Outcome Measure(s):  A demographic questionnaire and 7 Likert-scale survey instruments were administered. Variables were responses related to work-family conflict, work-family enrichment, work-time control, perceived organizational family support, perceived supervisor family support, professional identity and values, and attitude toward women. Results:  Exploratory factor analysis confirmed 3 subscales: (1) individual factors, (2) organizational factors, and (3) sociocultural factors. The scale was reduced from 88 to 62 items. A Cronbach α of 0.92 indicated excellent internal consistency. Conclusions:  A multilevel examination highlighting individual, organizational, and sociocultural factors is a valid and reliable measure of job satisfaction and career identity among athletic trainers employed in the collegiate setting.

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