ERIC Number: EJ1143903
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-380X
EISSN: N/A
Professional Master's Athletic Training Programs Use Clinical Education to Facilitate Transition to Practice
Bowman, Thomas G.; Mazerolle, Stephanie M.; Barrett, Jessica L.
Athletic Training Education Journal, v12 n2 p146-151 Apr-Jun 2017
Context: Athletic training students' ability to transition into professional practice is a critical component for the future of the profession. However, research on professional master's students' transition to practice and readiness to provide autonomous care is lacking. Objective: To determine professional master's athletic training students' perceptions regarding how they were prepared to transition to practice as clinicians. Design: Qualitative study. Setting: Professional master's athletic training programs. Patients or Other Participants: Sixteen students, 8 program directors, and 5 faculty members from professional master's athletic training programs. Main Outcome Measure(s): An online questionnaire was distributed via Qualtrics and analyzed using an inductive technique. Participants responded to a series of open-ended questions related to the structure and curricular offerings of their respective programs. We secured trustworthiness through multiple analyst triangulation and peer review. Results: We found that both students and faculty identified "clinical education" as the major facilitator in the socialization process used to prepare students for the transition into clinical practice. Three further subthemes emerged: (1) Both stakeholder groups felt that students gained experience through "diverse and immersive clinical education experiences"; (2) "Preceptors" provided "mentorship"; and (3) Students "developed confidence" to enter clinical practice as a result of these supported experiences. Conclusions: Professional master's programs provide clinical education experiences designed to help athletic training students gain the skills and confidence necessary to become autonomous practitioners. The diversity and mentorship contained within these experiences facilitates confidence and preparedness.
Descriptors: Athletics, Allied Health Occupations Education, Masters Programs, Transitional Programs, Graduate Students, Student Attitudes, Qualitative Research, Questionnaires, College Faculty, Socialization, Clinical Experience, Mentors, Self Esteem
National Athletic Trainers' Association. 2952 Stemmons Freeway Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75247. Tel: 214-637-6282; Fax: 214-637-2206; e-mail: ATEdJournal@gmail.com; Web site: http://nataej.org/journal-information.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A