Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

DOI

10.4085/1062-6050-0408.23

Publication Title

Journal of Athletic Training

Volume

59

Issue

8

Pages

857-867

Abstract

Context

Little is known about how athletic trainers (ATs) learn clinical documentation, but previous studies have identified that ATs have a need for more educational resources specific to documentation.

Objective

To obtain ATs' perspectives on learning clinical documentation.

Design

Qualitative study.

Setting

Web-based audio interviews.

Patients or Other Participants

Twenty-nine ATs who completed 2 different continuing education (CE) clinical documentation modules. Participants averaged 36.2 ± 9.0 years of age and included 16 women and 13 men representing 21 US states and 8 clinical practice settings.

Data Collection and Analysis

Participants were recruited from a group of ATs who completed 1 of 2 web-based CE clinical documentation modules. Within 3 weeks of completing the educational modules, participants were interviewed regarding their perceptions of how they learn clinical documentation, including their experiences completing the modules. Using the Consensual Qualitative Research approach, 3 researchers and 1 internal auditor inductively analyzed the data during 5 rounds of consensus coding. Trustworthiness measures included multianalyst triangulation, data source triangulation, and peer review.

Results

Two themes emerged from the data, including (1) mechanisms of learning documentation and (2) benefits of the educational modules. Athletic trainers primarily learn documentation through professional education and workforce training, but training appears to be inconsistent. Participants perceived that both educational modules were effective at increasing their knowledge and confidence related to learning documentation. The CE modules incited a growth mindset and intention to change behavior.

Conclusions

Athletic trainers are satisfied with web-based CE learning experiences specific to clinical documentation and may benefit from more CE offered in these formats. Educators are encouraged to integrate clinical documentation principles throughout the curriculum during both didactic and clinical education. Workforce training is also valuable for improving knowledge and skills related to clinical documentation, and employers should onboard and support ATs as they start new positions.

Rights

© 2024 National Athletic Trainer's Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

Included with the kind written permission of the copyright holder.

ORCID

0000-0003-3171-9141 (Cavallario)

Original Publication Citation

Nottingham, S. L., Kasamatsu, T. M., Cavallario, J. M., & Welch Bacon, C. E. (2024). Athletic trainers' perceptions of and experiences with professional development approaches for enhancing clinical documentation. Journal of Athletic Training, 59(8), 857-867. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0408.23

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