Athletic Trainers’ Perceptions of the Structure and Barriers to Online Continuing Education Clinical Documentation Modules

Abstract

Context Athletic trainers (ATs) appreciate the accessibility of web-based continuing education (CE) opportunities. ATs describe needing more CE opportunities related to clinical documentation, but the effectiveness of CE in this content area has not been studied. Objective Obtain ATs’ perceptions of their experiences accessing web-based CE specific to clinical documentation. Design Qualitative study. Setting Web-based audio interviews. Patients or Other Participants Twenty-nine ATs, averaging 36.2 ± 9.0 years of age, including 16 women and 13 men who represented 8 different clinical practice settings. Data Collection and Analysis Participants previously completed 1 of 2 web-based CE modules specific to clinical documentation, a personalized learning pathway (PLP) or passive reading list (PAS). After completing the modules, 1 investigator interviewed each participant regarding their experiences accessing and completing the modules. Following the Consensual Qualitative Research approach, 4 investigators (3 primary coders and 1 internal auditor) inductively analyzed the interview transcripts. We completed 5 rounds of consensus coding and finalized themes and supporting categories. Results We identified 2 themes: (1) structure and (2) barriers to completing the modules. Although both groups were satisfied with the content of the modules, PLP participants were more satisfied with the structure and experience of accessing the resources than the PAS participants. PLP participants enjoyed the engagement of the variety of resources included, whereas PAS participants inconsistently accessed reading materials based on personal preference. Both groups described time as a barrier to completing the modules, and some participants experienced technology barriers. Conclusions ATs value web-based CE opportunities that compile information related to a topic. Learners find a variety of learning formats, including videos, case studies, knowledge checks, and reflection prompts, to be more engaging than only reading materials. Although time continues to be a barrier to completing CE, offering accessible and engaging learning opportunities improves satisfaction with completing CE.