Interprofessional Readiness of Athletic Trainers and Collaborating Sports Medicine Health Professionals

Background: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is pivotal in modern healthcare, emphasizing collaboration among diverse health professionals for comprehensive patient care. While IPC has been extensively studied, a notable gap exists in understanding the readiness of athletic trainers (ATs) for IPC within hospital system settings. Purpose: This study seeks to address this gap by comparing the IPC readiness of ATs to colleagues from the same setting. Methods: The University of The West of England Interprofessional Questionnaire (UWE-IP) was administered to ATs and colleagues in hospital systems. This validated questionnaire measures aspects of IPC readiness across four constructs: 1.) communication and teamwork, 2.) interprofessional learning, 3.) interprofessional interaction, and 4.) interprofessional relationships. ATs were hypothesized to demonstrate positive readiness for IPC based on their unique skill sets and experiences. For inclusion in the study, participants must participate in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) on a regular basis through interprofessional encounters. No exclusion criteria were used for the participants meeting the inclusion criteria. A quantitative questionnaire was included with the UWE-IP questionnaire to collect demographic data, such as gender, age, years of practice, and professional interactions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests, were employed to analyze the data and compare IPC readiness between the two groups. Results: Results indicated that ATs perceived themselves as ready for IPC on three of four UWE-IP constructs, with a marginal discrepancy observed in interprofessional interactions. No significant differences in IPC perceptions between ATs and colleagues were reported, highlighting similar overall readiness for interprofessional collaboration. However, the study findings provide nuanced insights into the perceived differences, or lack thereof, in IPC readiness between ATs and their health profession counterparts within hospital system settings. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of ongoing interprofessional education within athletic training programs and suggests potential avenues for enhancing IPC practices among ATs. Further research is warranted to explore underlying factors driving IPC perceptions among ATs and inform targeted interventions to promote optimal IPC practices in healthcare settings. Ultimately, enhancing IPC among ATs can contribute to improved patient care outcomes and foster collaborative healthcare environments.