Patient Perceptions of Certified Athletic Trainers and

1. PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to determine the patient’s perception of Certified Athletic Trainers compared to medical residents within a sports medicine practice. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We gratefully acknowledge Emory University School of Medicine Residency Program for participation in this study. We would also like to thank OSSUR for their support of the Emory Sports Medicine Athletic Training Fellowship. Patient Perceptions of Certified Athletic Trainers and Orthopaedic Medical Residents As Primary Clinical Support Staff in the Sports Medicine Practice: A Randomized Double Blinded Prospective Study Shaina Lane, M.Ed., ATC, OTC, Spero Karas MD, Sameh Labib MD, John Xerogeanes MD, Forrest Pecha MS, ATC, OTC • EMORY UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDICS, EMORY SPORTS MEDICINE CENTER, ATLANTA, GA, USA INTRODUCTION RESULTS • Medical assistants (MAs), physician assistants (PAs), residents, and nurses (RNs) have classically been utilized as health care extenders in sports medicine practices. • ATCs have an extensive background in musculoskeletal injuries and anatomy that oftentimes exceeds that of a medical assistant or a physician assistant. ATCs were perceived equal to residents in all categories except “knowledge compared to the physician” where they are actually perceived more favorably by patients. The following table lists the categories (with p values) by which each resident and ATC were evaluated: Please provide a rating for each of the following items by drawing a circle around the number that best represents your perception of the First Clinician you encountered: Knowledge of the first clinician in the specialized field of Orthopaedics: None at all Insufficient Adequate Substantial Advanced 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Knowledge of the first clinician in comparison to your scheduled Physician: None at all Minimal Considerable Substantial Equal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Highest level of education you think this clinician has attained: High School Associates Degree Bachelors Degree Masters Degree Doctoral Degree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Extent to which the first clinician encountered adequately answered all of your questions: Not at all Inadequate Adequate Very Well Exceptional 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Extent to which the first clinician encountered efficiently managed your care: Not at all Inadequate Adequate Very Well Exceptional 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Extent to which the first clinician encountered demonstrated a professional manner: Not at all Inadequate Adequate Very Well Exceptional 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Extent to which the first clinician encountered demonstrated strong communication skills: Not at all Inadequate Adequate Very Well Exceptional 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 You’re Overall Satisfaction; from interaction with the first clinician you encountered: None at all Minimal Considerable Substantial Exceptional 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 DISCUSSION The certified athletic trainers’ extensive knowledge of athletes, sports and sports injuries likely contributed to the perception of increased knowledge when compared to the residents – who require a more comprehensive knowledge base during their initial years of medical training. METHODS SUBJECTS: • Patients would see either a Medical Resident or Certified Athletic Trainer as their initial clinician. Upon completion of their visit with the attending physician, patients chosen for the survey were given the questionnaire to fill out and return to support staff. The survey asked to rate their level of satisfaction in eight different categories. • A total of 108 surveys were collected over the course of this study. The data was analyzed with independent samples t-test. Statistical significance was set a priori at .05. CONCLUSIONS In the clinical setting, ATC’s were perceived similarly to orthopaedic residents. Certified athletic trainers are critical components in the sports medicine training room and during on-field coverage. However, their knowledge and skill in orthopaedic injuries has enabled them to successfully transition into the sports medicine clinical setting.