Factors that Impede and Promote the Persistence of Black Women in Athletic Training Programs

Abstract

Context:Black women are dramatically underrepresented in the health care profession of athletic training. The research identifies impeding barriers such as racism, sexism, lack of support, and unpreparedness to the successful college completion of ethnically diverse students. However, there are black women who have successfully overcome those impeding barriers to become athletic trainers (ATs). Mentoring is one factor that has been identified as supportive to the retention of ethnically diverse college students.Objective:The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify impeding barriers and promoting factors affecting the retention and credentialing of black women ATs.Design:Qualitative.Setting:Education.Patients or Other Participants:Ten certified ATs who self-identify as black women and matriculated through athletic training programs over the last 4 decades.Main Outcome Measure(s):The perceived factors that impede or promote successful college retention and attainment of the Board of Certification credential of black women athletic training students.Results:There are barriers that impede and factors that promote the successful matriculation of black women athletic training students. Impeding barriers include a lack of support, sexism, and racism. Factors that promote include personal characteristics; experience with white culture; faculty, preceptor, and peer support; and the clinical education experience.Conclusions:Recognizing the factors that impede or promote the academic persistence of black women in athletic training programs allows athletic training educators and preceptors to improve the experiences of black women enrolled in those programs and potentially increase their participation and advancement in the athletic training profession.