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Quality assessment of athletic trainers
D T Foster1, C E Yesalis, K J Ferguson
1Department of Exercise Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Certified athletic trainers (ATs) provided quality medical coverage at the Junior Olympic Games. Athletes and physicians were impressed with AT capabilities, with most athletes fully recovering from injuries within nine months.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Athletic Training
- Injury Management
Background:
- The quality of athletic training services has not been previously assessed.
- Medical coverage for the 1985 Junior Olympic Games involved certified athletic trainers (ATs), physicians, and other healthcare personnel.
- This study evaluated the services provided by 30 ATs managing 121 significant injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the quality of services provided by athletic trainers at a multisport event.
- To evaluate athlete and physician perceptions of athletic trainer capabilities.
- To determine injury recovery rates and recurrence in young athletes.
Main Methods:
- Data collection included injury information recorded by ATs and physicians.
- Post-event phone interviews with injured participants and questionnaires for physicians were conducted.
- Assessment of athlete recovery and injury recurrence at one month and nine months post-event.
Main Results:
- Athletes and physicians reported positive impressions of athletic trainer capabilities.
- Approximately 70% of athletes recovered from injury symptoms within one month.
- At nine months, 97% of athletes had fully recovered, with 17% experiencing recurrence.
Conclusions:
- Athletic trainers accurately identify and manage athletic injuries.
- Long-term follow-up is crucial for assessing recovery in athletic populations.
- Athletic trainers can serve as central communicators for patient care in multisport events.