Professional Preparation Regarding The Recognition And Treatment Of Exertional Heat Stroke: The Student Perspective

Context: Current evidence suggests rectal temperature(T_re) and cold-water immersion (CWI) are the most effective means to diagnose and treat exertional heat stroke (EHS), respectively. Educators, clinicians, and students should be apprised of this evidence to guide their practice.

Objective: Investigate what athletic training students (ATS) are learning regarding EHS, both in the classroom and clinical settings that may one day influence their practices as athletic trainers (AT).

Design: Qualitative design using in-person focus groups.

Setting: National meeting in San Antonio, Texas, 2009.

Patients or Other Participants: Thirteen rising senior ATS in a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)-accredited athletic training education program.

Data Collection and Analysis: Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using open coding techniques. Peer debriefing and multiple-analyst triangulation were used to ensure trustworthiness of the data.

Results: Two higher order themes emerged from the data analysis: Lack of Experience and Educators' Influence. Lack of Experience summarizes the ATS lack of exposure, both in the classroom and in the clinical setting regarding the skills associated with EHS. It was apparent that the participant's lack of understanding of EHS was a direct result of a lack of time spent with the topic. The higher order theme of Educators' Influence highlights the role that educators play in influencing and shaping ATS retention of materials, competence, and future practice beliefs regarding EHS.

Conclusion: A cyclic reaction occurs with regards to EBP that directly influences ATS. Until the cycle is broken, ATs will continue to struggle implementing best practices identified from research into clinical practice.