Preferences for and Barriers to Formal and Informal Athletic Training Continuing Education Activities

Abstract

Context:Our previous research determined the frequency of participation and perceived effect of formal and informal continuing education (CE) activities. However, actual preferences for and barriers to CE must be characterized.Objective: To determine the types of formal and informal CE activities preferred by athletic trainers (ATs) and barriers to their participation in these activities.Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Athletic training practice settings. Patients or Other Participants:Of a geographically stratified random sample of 1000 ATs, 427 ATs (42.7%) completed the survey.Main Outcome Measure(s): As part of a larger study, the Survey of Formal and Informal Athletic Training Continuing Education Activities (FIATCEA) was developed and administered electronically. The FIATCEA consists of demographic characteristics and Likert scale items (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) about preferred CE activities and barriers to these activities. Internal consistency of survey items, as determined by Cronbach α, was 0.638 for preferred CE activities and 0.860 for barriers to these activities. Descriptive statistics were computed for all items. Differences between respondent demographic characteristics and preferred CE activities and barriers to these activities were determined via analysis of variance and dependent t tests. The α level was set at .05.Results: Hands-on clinical workshops and professional networking were the preferred formal and informal CE activities, respectively. The most frequently reported barriers to formal CE were the cost of attending and travel distance, whereas the most frequently reported barriers to informal CE were personal and job-specific factors. Differences were noted between both the cost of CE and travel distance to CE and all other barriers to CE participation (F 1,411 = 233.54, P < .001).Conclusions: Overall, ATs preferred formal CE activities. The same barriers (eg, cost, travel distance) to formal CE appeared to be universal to all ATs. Informal CE was highly valued by ATs because it could be individualized.Key Words: professional development, online learning, networking, informal continuing education Key Points• In general, athletic trainers favored formal continuing education activities, particularly hands-on workshops and online offerings, over informal activities. Common barriers to formal continuing education were cost and travel distance.• However, informal continuing education activities, including networking, reading professional journals, teaching athletic training classes, and pursuing fellowships and other clinical experiences, were also considered valuable.• Athletic trainers must understand their learning needs, preferences, and perceived barriers. Continuing education providers must offer opportunities that are both versatile and realistic.C ontinuing education (CE) for athletic trainers (ATs) consists of educational activities that maintain or develop the knowledge, skills, performance, and professional relationships needed to provide high-quality pat...

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