The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of peer education in athletic training clinical education as well as assess entry-level athletic training students' (ATS) preferences and perceptions regarding peer education in the clinical education setting. The Athletic Training Peer Education Assessment Survey was developed and distributed at the Athletic Training Student Seminar at the National Athletic Trainers' Association's (NATA) 53rd Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposia in Dallas, Texas on June 15, 2002. This survey contained demographic questions to assess gender, academic status, athletic training program status, and NATA district. Four questions were designed to assess the prevalence of peer education in entry-level athletic training education programs (ATEP). Participants were asked to indicate the percentage range that was representative of their clinical experiences. Seventeen statements regarding the entrylevel ATS preferences and perceptions regarding peer education were presented in a stem statement followed by a five point Likert scale. A convenience sample of 170 male and female entry-level ATS was surveyed. Participants represented all ten NATA membership districts, various levels of academic status, as well as CAAHEP accredited, JRC-AT candidacy, and internship programs. Data analyses consisted of descriptive statistics, non-parametric Pearson chi-square, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), as well as post-hoc tests. The majority (n=101) of students practice over 50% of their clinical skills with other ATS. Approximately 30% (n=48) indicated that they seek the advice of other ATS greater than 50% of the time. Most (n=111) of the students seek the advice of their clinical instructors (CIs) greater than 50% of the time. The majority (n=101) of students reported feeling less anxious when performing clinical skills in front of other ATS compared to in front of their CIs. Over half (56.4%) of students feel anxious when demonstrating skills in front of their CI. The majority (84.6%) view other ATS as valuable resources for learning and practicing clinical skills. Most (83.5%) felt they gain a deeper understanding of clinical knowledge when they teach it to other ATS. Peer education should be integrated into ATEPs to enhance student learning, improve collaboration, decrease anxiety, and enhance overall clinical performance. / Department of Educational Studies

Extensive literature research revealed that little was known about the effectiveness of athletic training continuing education workshops in increasing athletic trainers' knowledge, skills and abilities. The three purposes of this mixed method exploratory study were: 1) to examine whether continuing education workshops were perceived by athletic trainer participants as effective; 2) to determine if a relationship existed between efficacy and perceived workshop training effectiveness; 3) to demonstrate the transfer of training through work experiences. Participants were recruited through Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) approved continuing education workshops. Eighty-four participants completed a questionnaire packet on the day of the workshop. The packet contained the Athletic Training Efficacy Questionnaire, subject matter pre-test, workshop evaluation, and subject matter post-test. Two months after the workshop, participants were contacted and asked to complete an online questionnaire that focused on their perceptions of the workshop they attended and their transfer of the training to the workplace. Quantitative data analysis revealed no significant relationships between participants' levels of efficacy and ages, genders, work experience, and degree attainment. Nor was there a significant relationship found between participants' level of efficacy and their perceptions of workshop effectiveness. The characteristics of the workshops were perceived as effective in increasing participant knowledge, skills and abilities related to athletic training. Overall, 20.2% of participants perceived the workshops as being very effective, 46.4% perceived the workshops to be effective, and 33.3% perceived the workshops as ineffective. / Qualitative analysis revealed that the perceptions of workshop effectiveness were related to the presentation format, characteristics of the instructor, and the relevancy of the workshop material to real life situations. Barriers to the transfer of training were also identified and included workshop format factors (delivery, environmental, and learning styles) and a lack of information presented. Recommendations for the development of continuing education workshops that better meet the needs of athletic trainers were discussed, and suggestions for future research were provided. / by Sarah L. Reed. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The purpose of this study was to assess Head Athletic Trainers (ATC) of NCAA Division I collegiate institutions perceived adequacy of professional preparation in implementing injury-related sport psychology skills and strategies. A survey instrument was developed and sent to all Head ATCs at NCAA Division IA institutions. Descriptive statistics were computed for information regarding educational background,. years of experience, number of varsity sports served, sport psychology backgrounds, specific sport psychology management strategies used and related perceived competence. Also, independent t-tests were conducted to examine differences in responses between professional preparation/backgrounds of the respondents and their perceived adequacy of preparation when utilizing sport psychology management strategies. Results indicate that 48% of NCAA Division IA Head ATCs have completed a formal course in sport psychology, and that perceived confidence when utilizing sport psychology skills and strategies are higher for this group. Better understanding of the role sport psychology plays in injury rehabilitation will allow ATCs to enhance their athletes' physical recovery from injury. / School of Physical Education

Many reforms in athletic training education requirements have been taking place in order to strengthen the profession. This research project may help make educational institutions aware of the current changes and requirements in clinical education. The purpose of this study was to determine the current practices in athletic training clinical education at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions and accredited versus non-accredited athletic training institutions.The participants (N = 93) consisted of a purposeful sample of head athletic trainers representing accredited and non-accredited athletic training education programs in the three divisions of the NCAA. The on-line survey instrument developed for this study, Current Practices in Athletic Training Clinical Education, obtained information about the demographics, clinical education of athletic training students, and the certified athletic trainer coverage of sports at NCAA institutions. The instrument was posted on an Internet website through the inQsit computer program. The respondents consisted of 28 (30.4%) head athletic trainers from Division I, 34 (37.0%) from Division II, and 30 from Division III (32.6%). Thirty-four (38.2%) respondents represented accredited athletic training education programs, 20 (22.5%) from athletic training programs in candidacy, and 35 (39.3%) from non-accredited or internship programs. Data was analyzed through percentages and frequency counts, and trend analysis and nonparametric Pearson chi square analyses. Pearson chi-square analyses revealed that Division I permits athletic training students to cover individual skill sessions and informal summer workouts unsupervised more often than the other NCAA divisions. Chi-square analyses also found that athletic training students at accredited athletic training education programs were more likely to possess CPR and first-aid certification and education on the prevention of disease transmission. A trend analysis was performed to determine the amount of time freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors spent in direct clinical supervision, supervised field experience, and unsupervised field experience. A linear relationship was found with respect to direct clinical supervision, and quadratic relationships were found with respect to supervised and unsupervised field experience. The results also revealed that athletic training programs that are accredited or candidacy were more likely to respond to 81 to 100% of the moderate risk sports within four minutes or less than those programs that are internship. The common perception of many athletic trainers regarding clinical education and the misuse of athletic training students is inconsistent with the current practices. Overall, athletic training students were seldom unsupervised for team practices and home events. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that collegiate athletic trainers have adjusted well to the recent changes in clinical education requirements and to the medical health care coverage recommended guidelines. Future research should address athletic training student and athletic training program director responses relative to their head athletic trainers' responses. / School of Physical Education

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine the perceptions and experiences of individuals involved in peer assisted learning (PAL) in the clinical setting of an athletic training education program. A qualitative research approach was utilized to examine the value of PAL experiences in the clinical education setting, define participants' perspectives on interactions with peers in the clinical education setting, and determine which terms were used most commonly by athletic training students and ACIs in describing educational exchanges amongst peers in the BSU athletic training education program. Data was collected through a series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews that pursued the various perceptions and experiences regarding PAL from individuals involved in the BSU athletic training education program. A purposeful sample of 15 participants, consisting of 9 athletic training students, 3 alumni, and 3 ACIs, were asked a set of core questions that explored their perceptions and experiences of PAL within the athletic training program. Data analysis consisted of a coding format which involved the development of themes as a result of the information provided during the interviews. Identified themes were based upon frequency, extensiveness, and significance of comments that occurred through the interview process. The findings suggest PAL activities occur on a regular basis among athletic training students in clinical education experiences and involve informal, active learning situations where students work together to help each other learn. Peers were viewed as individuals having similar knowledge, training, or experiences who help each other with learning, reviewing athletic training competencies and proficiencies, or solving problems within the clinical education setting. Athletic training students involved in PAL at BSU prefer to experience active and informal educational exchanges amongst their peers. Athletic training educators, including faculty, ACIs and even athletic training students, should be aware of the benefits of PAL to learners within athletic training education programs. The use of this type of active, informal learning strategy may significantly impact the success of students involved in athletic training education. / Department of Educational Studies

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was threefold. First, this study compared the effects of two different simulation-based instructional strategies on athletic trainers’ clinical competence in performing cardiovascular screening with cardiac auscultations. Second, this study identified the athletic trainers’ perceptions of learning through simulation-based instructional strategies. Third, this study attempted to identify and offer instructional recommendations based on the outcomes. The quantitative phase analyzed cognitive and diagnostic reasoning knowledge and history-taking and clinical skills specific to cardiovascular screenings with cardiac auscultations as it was taught to athletic trainers (ATs) at a continuing professional education (CPE) course. The quantitative results found that high-fidelity and low-fidelity simulation-based instructional strategies significantly increased cognitive and diagnostic reasoning knowledge and history-taking and clinical skill from pre-test to post-test assessment on all dependent variables. When comparing the two fidelity types to each other, the analysis found that the participants in the high-fidelity simulation group gained significantly more skill when compared to the low-fidelity group. In the qualitative analysis of this study, three themes emerged specific to the perceptions of the athletic trainers’ experiences as they learn through simulation-based instructional strategies. The first theme that emerged was a clear indication that participants’ exhibited positive perceptions of learning through simulation-based instructional strategies. The second theme that emerged was that the high-fidelity simulation experience during the pre-assessment and post-assessment raised an awareness of the deficit of knowledge and skills in performing a comprehensive cardiovascular screening with cardiac auscultations. Lastly, the third theme that emerged was specific to the perceived limitations in the effectiveness of low-fidelity simulation and the perceived strengths in the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation. A few instructional recommendations emerged from this dissertation study. Simulation-based instructional strategies are an ideal teaching method to utilize during continuing professional education courses with athletic trainers. Specifically, this study identified that both, high-fidelity and low-fidelity simulation, are effective in teaching cardiovascular screening with cardiac auscultations. Additionally, the participants perceived influences of a pre-test on the identification of their knowledge and skills deficit suggests that there are benefits of utilizing an authentic simulation pre-test as part of CPE courses. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Objective: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the perceptions of entry-level certified athletic trainers on the helpfulness of proposed standards for athletic training clinical education settings.Design and Setting: A 22 item questionnaire was developed based on 12 proposed standards for clinical education settings. The questionnaire was mailed to entry-level certified athletic trainers (those certified in 1997). The individuals in this sample were chosen due to their relatively recent education and work experience. Subjects were asked to rate the helpfulness of each standard. Using an open-ended question, subjects were also asked to identify the aspects of clinical education which prepared them best to fulfill employment responsibilities.Measurements: Frequency counts were computed for the degree of compliance with each clinical education setting standard, time devoted to clinical experience (hours and semesters) and clinical experience settings. Mean scores were computed from respondents' perceptions of helpfulness of clinical education setting standards and the role of clinical education in professional development of these athletic trainers. Chisquare with a significance level set at .05 was used to compare demographic and experience information to the perceived helpfulness of each clinical education setting standard.Results: Compliance with the proposed standards was high (mean = 89.9%, range 75.2% - 99.2%). Standards were perceived as "very helpful" (mean = 4.17/5.0). Only standards # 8 Single Coordinator of Clinical Education (mean = 3.58) and # 11 Professionally Active Clinical Instructor (mean = 3.96) were perceived as less than "very helpful.” Chi-square analyses revealed very little interaction between independent demographic variables and preparation for employment as an entry-level athletic trainer.Conclusions: The proposed standards for selecting and evaluating athletic training clinical education setting are helpful and should be considered for implementation in an athletic training education program. The standards can be used by all students and program administrators to evaluate a current or potential clinical education setting.Key Words: compliance, selection, evaluation, clinical experience, clinical instruction / Department of Educational Leadership