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Journal of Athletic Training logoLink to Journal of Athletic Training
. 1996 Jan-Mar;31(1):39–42.

Academic Preparation of Athletic Trainers as Counselors

Sharon P Misasi 1,2,3,4, Charles F Davis Jr 1,2,3,4, Gary E Morin 1,2,3,4, Donnaleigh Stockman 1,2,3,4
PMCID: PMC1318353  PMID: 16558369

Abstract

Athletic trainers have assumed several roles and responsibilities over the years, but perhaps there is no more important role than that of a counselor. Are they prepared to do so? One hundred and thirty-two modified Revised Wylie Inventories were mailed to college/university athletic trainers to examine their educational preparation and experiences with counseling in various areas. Most athletic trainers surveyed reported that they were predominantly counseling in the areas of injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, and nutrition, and felt academically prepared to do so. However, it was reported that preparation to counsel in other less common areas (eg, family matters, financial matters, etc) was not adequately addressed in academic programs. The athletic trainers surveyed sought continuing education in order to meet the other counseling needs of student-athletes. Although they used several psychological referral services, it was apparent that most athletic trainers frequently served as counselors on many nonorthopedic topics. We suggest that athletic training educators consider incorporating both academic knowledge and clinical experience in a wider variety of counseling areas into their curricula.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Schneider D., Morris J. College athletes and drug testing: attitudes and behaviors by gender and sport. J Athl Train. 1993 Summer;28(2):146–150. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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