Exploring Athletic Trainers' Self-Confidence for Interpreting Results from Concussion Assessments. (26th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Amico, N R; Covassin, T; Murray, N; Schatz, P; Elbin, R J
• Is Part Of: Archives of clinical neuropsychology. Volume 34:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 756
• Page End: 756
• Publication Date: 2019-07-26
• Subjects: Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acz026.26
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6177

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: To explore athletic trainers' self-confidence for interpreting results from concussion assessments. Methods: An online survey was administered via the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) membership listserv to a cross-sectional sample of 10, 000 certified athletic trainers (ATCs) employed in high school and collegiate settings. The survey included: 1) ATC demographics (i.e., age, sex, years of experience); 2) ATC concussion management practices (i.e., previous concussion training, continuing education received on concussion, concussion assessments administered); and 3) a 4-point Likert scale (1=no confidence, 4=high confidence) assessing ATC self-confidence for interpreting results from concussion assessments. A total of 725 ATCs completed the survey yielding a response rate of 7.25%; 114 were excluded for missing data and 611 ATCs were included in final analyses. Sample demographics, ATC concussion management practices, and ATC self-confidence scores were examined with demographic statistics (i.e., means, standard deviations, frequencies, percentages) for 16 commonly used concussion assessments. Results: The sample of ATCs (mean age 38.97±14.89 years) was predominately female (59.2%) and reported an average of 10.08±7.58 years of clinical experience. Clinical examinations (63.2%) and symptom scales (61.4%) were among the most frequent assessments with high ATC self-confidence for interpretation. Vestibular/oculomotor measures (27.2%) and computerized neurocognitive testing (26.2%) were among the most frequent assessments with low ATC self-confidence for interpretation. Conclusion: Low ATC self-confidence scores for interpreting results from vestibular/oculomotor measures and computerized neurocognitive testing highlight the importance of incorporating a multi-disciplinary team approach and including sport neuropsychologists for the proper management of concussion.