Perceptions and Use of the Athletic Training Milestones in Education: A Report from the AATE Research Network

Abstract

The Athletic Training Milestones (AT Milestones) were developed as an evaluation tool to capture the breadth and depth of athletic training knowledge, skills, and behavior. However, it is unclear whether athletic training programs are implementing this tool or how they are implementing it to gauge the athletic training clinical progression of students or residents. We aimed to explore the perceptions and use of the AT Milestones among educators in athletic training programs. We used a cross-sectional, web-based survey with open-ended questions to collect data from athletic training programs on if and how they implement the AT Milestones at a programmatic level. We recruited program/residency directors from 352 athletic training programs in November 2021; representatives from 101 programs accessed the survey (28.7% access rate) and 89 completed the survey (88.1% completion rate). A rigorous, multi-phase consensual qualitative research approach was used to analyze the textual data. Of the 89 programs represented, 60.1% (n=54) indicated they did not use the AT Milestones while 39.9% (n=35) did. Three themes emerged from the open-ended responses provided by program representatives that did implement the AT Milestones: modes of use, value-added, and frequency of use. Participants detailed how the AT Milestones were used as a student self-assessment measure, a tool to evaluate a student’s clinical experience performance, and as a measure to evaluate course performance. Participants described that the AT Milestones add value to the educational experience by providing a continuum, contributing to the programmatic framework, and promoting a standardized assessment structure. Finally, participants described the frequency of use of the AT Milestones across their programs ranging from once a year to after the completion of every clinical rotation. Athletic training educators looking for a useful assessment tool to address student progression on a continuum should consider implementing the AT Milestones into their programmatic framework.