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. 2019 Nov;54(11):1129-1139.
doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-12-19. Epub 2019 Sep 24.

Athletic Trainer Services in the Secondary School Setting: The Athletic Training Locations and Services Project

Robert A Huggins  1 , Kelly A Coleman  1 , Sarah M Attanasio  1 , G Larry Cooper  2 , Brad D Endres  1 , Ronald C Harper  3 , Kasey L Huemme  1 , Rachel F Morris  1 , Alicia M Pike Lacy  1 , Bart C Peterson  4 , Riana R Pryor  5 , Douglas J Casa  1
Affiliations

Athletic Trainer Services in the Secondary School Setting: The Athletic Training Locations and Services Project

Robert A Huggins et al. J Athl Train. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Context: Previous research from a sample of US secondary schools (n = 10 553) indicated that 67% of schools had access to an athletic trainer (AT; 35% full time [FT], 30% part time [PT], and 2% per diem). However, the population-based statistic in all secondary schools with athletic programs (n = approximately 20 000) is yet to be determined.

Objective: To determine the level of AT services and employment status in US secondary schools with athletics by National Athletic Trainers' Association district.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Public and private secondary schools with athletics.

Patients or other participants: Data from all 20 272 US public and private secondary schools were obtained.

Main outcome measure(s): Data were collected from September 2015 to April 2018 by phone or e-mail communication with school administrators or ATs and by online surveys of secondary school ATs. Employment categories were school district, school district with teaching, medical or university facility, and independent contractor. Data are presented as total number and percentage of ATs. Descriptive statistics were calculated for FT, PT, and no AT services data for public, private, public + private, and employment type by state and by National Athletic Trainers' Association district.

Results: Of the 20 272 secondary schools, 66% (n = 13 473) had access to AT services, while 34% (n = 6799) had no access. Of those schools with AT services, 53% (n = 7119) received FT services, while 47% (n = 6354) received PT services. Public schools (n = 16 076) received 37%, 32%, and 31%, whereas private schools (n = 4196) received 27%, 28%, and 45%, for FT, PT, and no AT services, respectively. Most of the Athletic Training Locations and Services Survey participants (n = 6754, 57%) were employed by a medical or university facility, followed by a school district, school district with teaching, and independent contractor. Combined, 38% of AT employment was via the school district.

Conclusions: The percentages of US schools with AT access and FT and PT services were similar to those noted in previous research. One-third of secondary schools had no access to AT services. The majority of AT employment was via medical or university facilities. These data depict the largest and most updated representation of AT services in secondary schools.

Keywords: athletic training; health care; high schools.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Timeline depicting data merging, acquisition, refinement, and mapping process for the Athletic Training Locations and Services (ATLAS) database. Also depicted is the survey development and validation, questionnaire availability and export. Abbreviations: AT, athletic trainer; NCES, National Center for Education Statistics.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentages of schools by state and National Athletic Trainers' Association district with athletic trainer (AT) services.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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