2014 Research Survey of Professional Education in Athletic Training White Paper

Transcription

1 2014 Research Survey of Professional Education in Athletic Training White Paper Jared C. Moor, ATS Josh L. Cook, ATS Erik N. Arent, ATS Ohio Northern University Advisors: Kurt S. Wilson, ATC, CSCS Edward S. Potkanowicz, Ph.D., ACSMHFS 1

2 Demographic Completed Bachelor s Degree at minimum Currently BOC certified athletic trainers Located within the Great Lakes Athletic Training Association (GLATA) region 2

3 Respondents 271 completed surveys 154 indicated they read, 117 indicated they did not read 24 BA/BS, 195 MA, 52 PhD Collegiate Affiliation 115 NCAA Div. I 33 NCAA Div. II 105 NCAA Div. III 16 NAIA Respondent's were asked what their current job required 175 Teach 200 Practice 180 Administrative Current school program 168 BA/BS, 15 MA, 32 Both 3

4 Design & Settings Volunteer participants were recruited via an invitation The message contained a link to the survey via Qualtrics Inc. The survey consisted of 32 questions, divided into 3 separate sections: Section 1: Demographic information Section 2: Verbatim Key Findings from the White Paper Section 3: Questions of interest Questions were a 5 point Likert scale on the survey; Reported on a 3 point scale Strongly disagree & disagree (Disagree) Neither agree or disagree (NAOD) Strongly agree & agree (Agree) Intended to gauge the attitude of the respondents 4

5 White Paper Key Findings 5

6 White Paper Key Findings 1. Graduate-level professional education will better align ATs as peers to other healthcare professions and should enhance our status and influence in the larger health care arena. 2. Transition to graduate professional education facilitates continued evolution in the professional competency requirements to better reflect the clinical practice requirements of current and future ATs in a changing healthcare environment. Disagree NAOD Agree 22% 14% 63% 25% 20% 55% Brown, S., & Henning, J. (2013). Professional Education in Athletic Training; An Examination of the Professional Degree Level. Carrollton: National Athletic Training Association. 6

7 White Paper Key Findings 3. Factors fundamental to providing quality care are likely improved by professional education at the graduate level. 4. Professional education at the graduate level enhances retention of students who are committed to pursuit of an athletic training career. Graduatelevel education attracts students who are better prepared to assimilate the increasingly complex concepts that are foundational for athletic training practice. Disagree NAOD Agree 32% 27% 41% 20% 18% 62% Brown, S., & Henning, J. (2013). Professional Education in Athletic Training; An Examination of the Professional Degree Level. Carrollton: National Athletic Training Association. 7

8 White Paper Key Findings 5. Transition to professional education at the graduate level would increase the likelihood that education programs are better aligned with other health care profession programs within their institution. 6. Professional education at the graduate level should facilitate interprofessional education. Disagree NAOD Agree 26% 20% 54% 14% 27% 58% Brown, S., & Henning, J. (2013). Professional Education in Athletic Training; An Examination of the Professional Degree Level. Carrollton: National Athletic Training Association. 8

9 White Paper Key Findings 7. A strong foundation of healthrelated basic sciences is increasingly necessary to prepare students for contemporary clinical practice in athletic training. 8. Professional education should not compete with general education, liberal arts, and foundational science requirements because it detracts from the effectiveness of the professional educational experience. Disagree NAOD Agree 10% 11% 79% 31% 28% 40% Brown, S., & Henning, J. (2013). Professional Education in Athletic Training; An Examination of the Professional Degree Level. Carrollton: National Athletic Training Association. 9

10 White Paper Key Findings 9. A transition to professional education at the graduate level will result in a more efficient educational system. 10. Currently, all state practice acts accommodate graduate-level education in athletic training as meeting the requirements for the state credential. No state practice acts would need to be amended. Disagree NAOD Agree 35% 32% 32% 12% 51% 37% Brown, S., & Henning, J. (2013). Professional Education in Athletic Training; An Examination of the Professional Degree Level. Carrollton: National Athletic Training Association. 10

11 White Paper Key Findings 11. The impact of a transition to graduate-level professional education on compensation levels and employment opportunities is complex and difficult to predict. Multiple factors influence compensation and employment patterns in healthcare. Disagree NAOD Agree 6% 7% 87% Brown, S., & Henning, J. (2013). Professional Education in Athletic Training; An Examination of the Professional Degree Level. Carrollton: National Athletic Training Association. 11

12 White Paper Key Findings Overall Disagree 21% Neither Agree or Disagree (NAOD) 23% Agree 55% 12

13 Survey Questions 13

14 1. Changing to an entry-level masters program is a good decision. Disagree 39% NAOD 24% Agree 37% 14

15 2. Athletic Training would be a more reputable/desirable profession if changed to an entrylevel masters program. Disagree 41% NAOD 24% Agree 35% 15

16 3. A change to an entry level masters program will put Athletic Training professionals in closer alignment with colleagues in other allied health professions. Disagree 27% NAOD 15% Agree 58% 16

17 4. Interprofessional education is currently achieved in undergraduate programs. Disagree 27% NAOD 34% Agree 39% 17

18 5. Athletic Training students will receive a higher quality of education with an entry-level masters program. Disagree 38% NAOD 32% Agree 30% 18

19 6. By decreasing the number of programs across the country and, therefore, increasing class sizes, Athletic Training students will not receive as much hands-on clinical experience and will not be as well refined at the professional level. Disagree 23% NAOD 18% Agree 59% 19

20 7. Students who have earned their masters degree through a graduate assistantship position will be better prepared as a professional Athletic Trainer than students who have graduated from an entry-level masters program. Disagree 9% NAOD 23% Agree 69% 20

21 8. The increased cost of schooling and lower salaries of Athletic Trainers will make other allied health professions more attractive to potential Athletic Training students. Disagree 12% NAOD 19% Agree 69% 21

22 9. Changing to an entry-level masters program will decrease the drop-out/transfer rate from athletic training programs. Disagree 27% NAOD 31% Agree 42% 22

23 10. By increasing the salary of Athletic Trainers, employers will not hire Athletic Trainers and will seek out other ways to fill positions or hire more qualified individuals from similar allied health professions. Disagree 45% NAOD 30% Agree 24% 23

24 11. A change to an entry-level masters program will increase the salary potential for Athletic Training professionals. Disagree 38% NAOD 33% Agree 28% 24

25 12. I foresee my institution transitioning to, starting, or maintaining an entry-level masters program. Disagree 31% NAOD 24% Agree 45% Administrative Responses Disagree 10% NAOD 20% Agree 70% 25

26 Discussion Further investigation of this would include defining the job descriptions of the respondents. Upon further investigation, we would use a three point scale instead of a five point Likert to gather the data and best be able to report it 26

27 Conclusion Overall respondents indicated agreement with the white paper Inconclusive in the readiness to transition to an ELM program Results indicate further investigation towards transition to an entry-level master s program nationally is warranted 27

28 Contact Information Josh Cook Erik Arent Jared Moor 28

29 Bibliography Brown, S., & Henning, J. (2013). Professional Education in Athletic Training; An Examination of the Professional Degree Level. Carrollton: National Athletic Training Association. 29

30 Questions Thank You 30