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

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.