Recommendations for Cultural Competence Educational by Practicing Athletic Trainers

Abstract

Athletic trainers are allied health professionals providing healthcare to individuals from diverse personal and ethnic backgrounds in various of practices settings. The purpose of this phenomenological case study was to explore cultural competence of practicing athletic trainers, credentialed to practice between one and three years, having graduated from one accredited athletic training program in Texas.  The guided protocol included five research questions to assess knowledge and skills of the participants in provision of culturally competent strategies used in clinical practice.  Eleven athletic trainers were interviewed to assess the ability to define cultural competence and enumerate experiences of implementation of effective patient care. The findings revealed the participants of this study provided culturally competent care to diverse patient groups.  Additional findings included the ability to recognize the importance of effective communication, sociocultural considerations, and expanded needs for educational content for professional preparation. Findings in study suggested the following implications: athletic trainers must be aware of patient diversity, the relationships between athletic trainer and patient are important for assisting patient outcomes, effective use of appropriate communication techniques are paramount to patient outcomes, and athletic training curricula need to provide a foundation of cultural competence with expanded content on patient diversity and treatment methods for enhanced preparation of future athletic training professionals to provide effective culturally competent care.