Coaches' satisfaction of athletic training services provided at a mid-western National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution

Abstract

Although coaches are often a mediator between student athletes and the athletic trainers, their complaints, concerns, input, and suggestions regarding athletic training services are often overlooked and underrepresented. The purpose of this study was to determine whether intercollegiate coaches are satisfied with the services provided by certified athletic trainers at a Mid-Western National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution. Further, the study was to specifically identify which certified athletic training services were being provided satisfactorily or unsatisfactorily.Participants for this study were purposefully selected based on their current coaching status at a Mid-Western National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution. A total of 27 (17 males, 12 females) coaches participated in the study, of which 14 were head coaches, 11 were assistant coaches, 3 were graduate assistant coaches, and 1 was a volunteer coach.A 40-item survey instrument was developed by the researcher. It consisted of six sections: demographics, professionalism, communication, knowledge / ability, accessibility, and comments regarding the certified athletic training staff and/or theservices which they provide. Survey packets consisting of a cover letter, survey instrument, and return envelope were distributed. Reminder letters were distributed two weeks later.Research findings revealed that the coaches considered such items as physical appearance, the ability of the certified athletic trainer to discuss injuries at various levels of understanding and knowledge, easy to speak with, and professional behavior in the athletic training room as satisfactory. Accessibility was the most unsatisfactory element of the athletic training services. Comments from the coaches regarding strengths and suggestions for improvement ranged from working relationships to aggressiveness of rehabilitation techniques and skills. In conclusion, coaches were satisfied overall with the services provided by the certified athletic trainers. Certainly, improving the accessibility of certified athletic training services would not only lead to higher satisfaction among the coaches, but it would also lead to improved health care of the student athlete.Future research should include participants from multiple institutions. Further, individual interviews with coaches to gain a qualitative understanding of their expectations would be valuable.