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ERIC Number: EJ1467615
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-380X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Comparing Immersive and Nonimmersive Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training Education: Effects on Student Engagement and Confidence
Julie M. Cavallario; Shana Pribesh; Stacy E. Walker
Athletic Training Education Journal, v20 n1 p23-32 2025
Context: With the shift to a graduate-level professional degree in athletic training, it was hypothesized that immersive clinical experiences (ICEs) would be more effectively integrated into curricula than non-ICEs (N-ICEs) and better prepare students for practice. Objective: To longitudinally compare clinical engagement opportunities in ICEs versus N-ICEs and assess if these opportunities are associated with changes in student confidence in performing related tasks. Design: Prospective, longitudinal, time-diary study using a Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-three first-year, master's-level athletic training students from 21 programs. Main Outcome Measure(s): Participants reported their type of clinical experience (ICE, N-ICE, or none), the setting, and hours spent at clinical each day. They quantified the percentage of time spent on 8 categories of athletic training and patient care tasks and rated their confidence in performing these tasks. Independent samples t tests (P < 0.05) were used to compare confidence ratings and time spent on activities across all students, and the analysis was repeated within students who participated in both ICEs and N-ICEs. Results: Most clinical experiences occurred in traditional athletic training settings. Immersive clinical experiences led to more time spent on administrative tasks, waiting, and therapeutic interventions, while N-ICEs involved more time in practice coverage, skills practice, diagnostic labs or tests, and applying protective devices. Within students, N-ICEs showed more time on skills practice, but other outcomes were not significant. Immersive clinical experiences resulted in higher confidence in integrating business practices and communicating with health providers and administrators. Conclusions: Immersive clinical experiences may offer more engagement opportunities and increase confidence in specific tasks, while engagement opportunities are influenced more by the student than the type of clinical experience. Both ICEs and N-ICEs have valuable roles in clinical education; each providing different types of engagement opportunities.
National Athletic Trainers' Association. 2952 Stemmons Freeway Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75247. Tel: 214-637-6282; Fax: 214-637-2206; e-mail: ATEdJournal@gmail.com; Web site: https://meridian.allenpress.com/atej
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A