Context: Soft skills have been reported to be a necessary aspect of athletic training education and clinical practice. However, almost no empirical research has explored the level of importance of soft skills or the frequency with which they are evaluated within athletic training education. Objective: To delineate the perceived importance of soft…

Context: United States-educated athletic trainers (ATs) are expected to have more opportunities in the international environment as the number of mutual recognition agreements grows. However, no information is available from existing studies regarding the portability of current US athletic training education in an international environment.…

Context: Although social support has been reported to be a factor that increases retention of athletic trainers in their profession, there is a lack of literature examining the specific relationship of social support satisfaction and its predictive influence on stress and depression among athletic training students. Objective: To determine which…

Context: Understanding changes in athletic training program (ATP) commitment over time is crucial in retaining high-quality students in an ATP. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine if changes over time in ATP commitment determinants are related to actual changes in ATP commitment. Design: Longitudinal and cross-sectional survey.…

Context: Mentorship is a developmental process whereby a novice individual, as he/she becomes inducted into his/her area of expertise, is guided by a more experienced person. Speculation exists that years of experience can impact this relationship. Objective: To determine the impact mentoring can have on athletic training student development and…

Context: In order for athletic training students to be successful in any athletic training education program (ATEP), a certain level of commitment to the program and profession is required. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the applicability of the sport commitment model (SCM) to an ATEP by applying the SCM in an academic setting…

Context: Leadership development by health professionals positively affects patient outcomes. Objective: To 1) determine if there is any relationship between demonstrated leadership behaviors and clinical behaviors among entry-level AT students (ATS); 2) to explore if the level of leadership behavior changes between ATS level; and 3) to determine…

Objective: To examine the use of good practice indicators by athletic training program directors and to provide a theoretical framework using engagement theory, a learner-centered process focusing on program improvement through continuous planning and evaluation, as a foundation for implementing good practices in athletic training education…

Objective: To provide a historical perspective on factors that have shaped the current structure of athletic training education, and to advocate development of a new conceptual framework for a continuum of professional education in athletic training. Background: Athletic training is a relatively young profession that has undergone significant…