Bowman TG, Singe SM, Pike Lacy AM, Register-Mihalik JK. Challenges Faced by Collegiate Athletic Trainers, Part II: Treating Concussed Student-Athletes.
J Athl Train 2020;
55:312-318. [PMID:
31986101 DOI:
10.4085/1062-6050-85-19]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT
Conflict between athletic trainers (ATs) and other stakeholders can occur because of competing interests over medical decisions regarding concussion. However, we are unaware of any studies specifically exploring these situations across various collegiate athletic affiliations.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the challenges faced by ATs when treating concussed student-athletes.
DESIGN
Qualitative study.
SETTING
Online questionnaire.
PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS
A total of 434 ATs (267 women, 166 men, 1 missing data; age = 27.73 ± 3.24 years, experience = 5.17 ± 2.67 years) completed the questionnaire (response rate = 14.47%). Our participants represented multiple employment settings within intercollegiate athletics.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We sent an online questionnaire to 3000 ATs working in the collegiate and university setting across the United States. A survey expert verified face, content, and construct validity of the questionnaire in 2 rounds of review, and 3 ATs completed a content-validity tool before we finalized the survey. We analyzed the qualitative data using a general inductive approach and ensured trustworthiness through multiple-analyst triangulation and peer review.
RESULTS
When we examined the responses from our participants regarding their work with student-athletes who had sustained concussions, we found 2 major themes, each with subthemes. First, educational efforts appeared to be only modestly effective because of a lack of honesty, noncompliant actions, and coach interference. Second, return to learn was challenging because of a lack of communication among stakeholders, athletes being anxious about needing accommodations, and difficulty convincing faculty to provide reasonable accommodations.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on our findings, we recommend continued efforts to improve the culture surrounding concussion in collegiate athletes. Athletic trainers should include key stakeholders such as coaches, student-athletes, parents, faculty, and other educational administrators in their educational efforts to improve the policies and culture surrounding concussion treatment.
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