Organizational Expectations Regarding Documentation Practices in Athletic Training.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Athletic Training Documentation
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• No national standard exists for medical documentation in athletic training.
• Individual organizations set their own policies, leading to variability.
• Previous research focused on clinician behavior, not supervisor roles in documentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate supervisor practices regarding support, hindrance, and enforcement of medical documentation standards.
• To understand how supervisors create and communicate documentation policies.
• To examine accountability mechanisms for medical record-keeping in athletic training.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods study utilizing online surveys and follow-up interviews.
• Criterion sampling of supervising athletic trainers at NCAA member schools (n=64 survey, n=12 interview).
• Data analysis included descriptive statistics and consensual qualitative research approach.

Main Results:

• Less than half of supervisors reported formal written policies (48%), procedures (34%), or timelines (29%) for documentation.
• Supervisors described frameworks for orientation, communication, accountability, and purpose.
• Limitations included time constraints, role prioritization, and assumptions about prior training.

Conclusions:

• A gap exists between supervisor confidence and employee uncertainty regarding documentation practices.
• Lack of clear policies, procedures, and accountability hinders consistent documentation.
• Establishing organization standards and accountability is crucial for improved patient care, outcomes, and legal compliance.