Context:Understanding the beliefs about and use of evidence-based practice (EBP) among athletic trainers (ATs) will help to determine appropriate strategies to improve implementation.Objective: To examine the ATs' beliefs about and use of EBP.Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Online survey instrument. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 467 ATs responded to the survey request, a response rate of 11.67%. A total of 385 (9.6%) completed the EBP Beliefs Scale and 342 (8.5%) completed the EBP Implementation Scale.Main Outcome Measure(s): The EBP Beliefs Scale and EBP Implementation Scale were administered. The surveys collected demographic information in addition to information about participants' beliefs regarding EBP and implementation of EBP in clinical practice.Results: The ATs demonstrated a level of neither agree nor disagree (56.00 6 7.86) on the EBP Beliefs Scale. Belief scores were higher among those ATs required to document for thirdparty reimbursement (P ¼ .001), those with access to current research through professional journals other than the Journal of Athletic Training (P ¼ .02), and those with a doctoral degree (P ¼ .01). A low level of implementation (9.00 6 11.38), representing the implementation of EBP approximately 0 times in the previous 8 weeks, was found on the EBP Implementation Scale. Implementation scores were higher among preceptors (P ¼ .01), those required to document for third-party reimbursement (P , .001), those with access to current research through professional journals (P ¼ .002), and those with a doctoral degree (P ¼ .01).Conclusions: Participants had a positive attitude toward EBP; however, they were not implementing EBP concepts when providing patient care. This suggests that additional information and EBP resources are needed so ATs can better implement EBP in practice. To provide the best patient care and to promote EBP within the profession, clinicians should make EBP a priority and advocate for EBP implementation.Key Words: evidence-based medicine, clinical practice, survey research Key PointsOverall, athletic trainers were neutral toward evidence-based practice but believed it results in the best clinical care for patients and is important to the credibility of the profession. Athletic trainers' level of implementation of evidence-based practice was low. Additional information and resources are needed so athletic trainers can better implement evidence-based practice. To provide the best patient care, promote evidence-based practice within the profession, and gain credibility with other health care professions, athletic trainers should become advocates for evidence-based practice and make it a priority.
INTRODUCTION Understanding athletic trainers’ (ATs) perceptions of and experiences with interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) can help improve their interactions with other healthcare professionals. The purpose of this study was to explore ATs’ perceptions (beliefs, benefits, barriers), experiences and recommended strategies related to IPCP.METHODS 314 ATs (139 male, 175 female) completed an online survey that collected participant demographics in addition to sections about participants’ perceptions experiences related to IPCP and recommended strategies implementation of IPCP.RESULTS Participants reported the primary sports medicine team should include ATs, orthopedic physicians and physical therapists (PTs) with the AT serving as the point person. Athletic trainers reported interacting most frequently with other ATs, orthopedic physicians and primary care physicians using a combination of direct and indirect communication methods. The primary benefits of IPCP included providing comprehensive patient care, building understanding of each other’s professions and professional growth. Barriers to collaboration centered on limited knowledge of providers’ scopes of training, inadequate communication, work setting, work schedules and providers’ attitudes toward each other and collaboration. Strategies to facilitate IPCP focused on building relationships with providers, establishing regular communication and understanding each other’s scope of training.CONCLUSION Currently, ATs interact with other healthcare providers and have positive perceptions of IPCP. It is recommended that ATs build on the current relationships and aim to enhance them through purposeful communication.
Purpose: Athletic Training (AT) education is undergoing a major change with the transition to the professional Master’s degree. This evolution provides opportunity for faculty to reassess programmatic requirements. Admissions criteria is the first benchmark set for students and may predict future success. Currently, there is no evidence describing common AT entrance requirements. Objective(s): To determine current practices in AT admissions, establish best practices for developing admissions criteria, and discuss the potential impact of the transition to professional master’s degree on the admissions process. Methods: Design: Cross-Sectional Study. Setting(s): Web-based survey in the fall of 2014. Participant(s): 361 undergraduate program directors received the survey; 117 (32.4%) responded. Intervention(s): The survey consisted of 28 questions: 15 demographics questions and 13 questions relating to: Academic structure (1 question), Program admissions procedures (5 questions), and Selection Process (7 questions). Main Outcome Measure(s): Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable. Results: There were 117 responses, representing all 10 NATA districts. Ninety-seven percent (n=114) use a secondary admission process. Additionally, the majority of programs (n=94, 89.5%) reported using a combination of GPA data when making admissions decisions (i.e. major GPA and overall GPA). Seventy-two percent (n=84) of programs require clinical experience hours (mean 47.64 ±33.68) prior to admission. Personal attributes were assessed through the use of interviews, essays, and other written documents. Conclusions: There are many factors that may affect a program’s outcome. However, it all begins with the individual program’s admission process. To strengthen the program’s quality, faculty members must review their current admission criteria to ensure each requirement is purposeful, relevant, and non-discriminatory.
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