Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs.
Dr Pike Lacy is now at A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ.
J Athl Train. 2020 Apr;55(4):409-415. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-165-19. Epub 2020 Mar 20.
Conflict is prevalent between sports medicine professionals and coaching staffs regarding return-to-play decisions for athletes after injury in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I setting. The firsthand experiences of athletic trainers (ATs) regarding such conflict have not been fully investigated.
To better understand the outside pressures ATs face when making medical decisions regarding patient care and return to play after injury in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) setting.
Qualitative study.
Semistructured one-on-one telephone interviews.
Nine ATs (4 men, 5 women; age = 31 ± 8 years [range = 24-48 years]; years certified = 9 ± 8).
Interviews were audio recorded and later transcribed. Thematic analysis was completed phenomenologically. Researcher triangulation, peer review, and member checks were used to establish trustworthiness.
Two major themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) pressure is an expected component of the Division I FBS AT role, and (2) strategies can be implemented to mitigate the negative effects of pressure. Three subthemes supported the second major theme: (1) ensuring ongoing and frequent communication with stakeholders about an injured athlete's status and anticipated timeline for return to play, (2) providing a rationale to coaches or administrations to foster an understanding of why specific medical decisions are being made, and (3) establishing positive relationships with coaches, athletes, and administrations.
External pressure regarding medical decisions was an anticipated occurrence for our sample. Such pressure was described as a natural part of the position, not negative but rather a product of the culture and environment of the Division I FBS setting. Athletic trainers who frequently face pressure from coaches and administration should use the aforementioned strategies to improve the workplace dynamic and foster an environment that focuses on patient-centered care.
在 NCAA 一级（Division I）体育环境中，运动医学专业人员与教练组在运动员受伤后的复出决策上存在普遍冲突。运动训练员（ATs）对此类冲突的第一手经验尚未得到充分调查。
深入了解 AT 在 NCAA 一级足球碗分区（FBS）环境中，在涉及伤病患者的医疗决策和复出时面临的外部压力。
定性研究。
半结构化一对一电话访谈。
9 名 AT（4 男，5 女；年龄=31±8 岁[范围 24-48 岁]；认证年限=9±8 年）。
访谈进行了音频记录，随后进行了转录。采用现象学进行主题分析。研究人员三角测量、同行审查和成员检查用于建立可信度。
定性分析中出现了两个主要主题：（1）压力是 Division I FBS AT 角色的预期组成部分，（2）可以实施策略来减轻压力的负面影响。三个子主题支持第二个主要主题：（1）确保与利益相关者持续和频繁沟通受伤运动员的状况和预期复出时间表，（2）向教练或管理层提供理由，以增进对特定医疗决策的理解，（3）与教练、运动员和管理层建立积极关系。
外部医疗决策压力是我们样本中的预期事件。这种压力被描述为该职位的自然组成部分，不是负面的，而是 Division I FBS 环境的文化和环境的产物。经常面临教练和管理层压力的 AT 应使用上述策略来改善工作场所动态，并营造以患者为中心的护理环境。
