Clinical Satisfaction Levels of National Athletic Trainers' Association Accredited Post-Professional Athletic Training Graduates

Context: There is currently limited research on the satisfaction of graduates from NATA Accredited Post-Professional Athletic Training Education Programs (PPATEP). Outcome measures of satisfaction scores are necessary to evaluate the quality of these programs. Objective: Identify clinical satisfaction levels of2009-2010 graduates of NATA Accredited PPATEPs. The focus was on differences in supervision levels, varying contact time with clinical staff, average hours at the clinical site/week, and mentorship. Design: Cross-sectional survey instrument. Setting: Online survey instrument. Participants: Of the 267 participants, 106 completed and submitted the survey. Response rate: 39.7%. Intervention: E-mail address for graduates of NATA Accredited PPATEPs (n = 308) from May 2009-August 2010 were collected from the NATA online member directory database. An initial email was sent to participants with a follow up e­ mail was sent out once per week for the four weeks. Main Outcome Measures: This survey instrument was created using Inquisite 9.5 Corporate Survey Builder. Demographic information and satisfaction scores related to components of the clinical education plan were obtained. Results: All graduates of2009 and 2010 NATA Accredited PPATEPs were found to be at least very satisfied with their overall clinical education plan. Time performing athletic training duties (P=.349), amount of autonomy(P=.167), and amount of direct contact with clinical supervisor (P=.241), were not found to be indicators of clinical satisfaction. There was no significant difference between number of hours per week spent at the clinical placement (P=.142) and the overall satisfaction score. A statistically significant positive correlation (r=.287, P=.003) was found between level of satisfaction with formal and informal feedback about performance during their clinical experience and how often participants had direct contact with their clinical supervisor. A statistically significant positive correlation (r=.510, P= <.001) between the level of satisfaction with the mentorship that participants received from their primary clinical mentor and how often participants had direct contact with their clinical supervisor. Conclusions: The satisfaction score results suggest that graduates of NATA Accredited PPATEPs are generally satisfied in most areas of their clinical education but satisfaction in areas such as mentorship and feedback are lacking.