Athletic Trainers’ Motivations for and Satisfaction with Transition to the Physician Practice Setting

Context An increasing number of athletic trainers (ATs) are transitioning from traditional settings, such as secondary schools, colleges, universities, and professional sports, to physician practice. Although research suggests ATs may be changing settings in search of better working conditions, little is known about their motivations for and satisfaction with the setting transition. Objective To explore ATs’ motivations for and satisfaction with transition to the physician practice setting. Design Qualitative study. Patients or Other Participants Eleven certified ATs (6 women, 5 men; age = 38.5 ± 10.0 years) who transitioned from a traditional setting (secondary school, collegiate, or professional) to a physician practice setting were recruited through convenience sampling. Data Collection and Analysis Semistructured interviews were conducted via Zoom and transcribed for analysis. Data were analyzed by a team of 3 researchers using the consensual qualitative research approach to identify key themes across participants. Results Three key themes emerged from the data: (1) considerations for physician practice, (2) tasks performed and skills gained, and (3) transition experience. Participants emphasized achieving a better work-life balance, having a consistent schedule, and working with a diverse patient population as key motivators for transition to the physician practice setting. Athletic trainers also reported acquiring new clinical skills in physician practice, such as assisting in surgery and suture removal, as well as new administrative skills related to workers’ compensation and insurance. Experiences with transition to physician practice varied among participants, with some finding the transition smooth due to supportive collaboration and effective onboarding, and others facing challenges such as limited opportunities for career advancement. Conclusions The transition to physician practice settings offers ATs a chance to achieve better work-life balance and gain new skills, but it also presents challenges, including limited upward mobility. Understanding these factors is crucial for both ATs considering this transition and the health care systems employing them.