Student Perspectives on Burnout

Abstract

Context: While burnout has received a great deal of attention within the athletic training profession, there is little data on how it affects athletic training students (ATSs). Objective: To determine what factors influence burnout among ATSs enrolled in accredited athletic training education programs. Design and Setting: Basic, interpretive qualitative study employing on-line interviews with students enrolled in Commission on Accrediting Athletic Training Education (CAATE) athletic training programs. Patients or Other Participants: Each of the 14 (7 males, 7 females) ATSs, who represented 3 NATA districts, had completed at least one full academic semester of coursework and a clinical assignment. The average age of the participants was 21.4 +/− 1.5 , eight of the ATSs were seniors, and six were junior level students. Data Collection and Analysis: All interviews were conducted electronically with three separate days of postings using an on-line platform. Interviews were cut and pasted verbatim and analyzed inductively borrowing from the grounded theory approach. Peer review, data triangulation, and multiple analyst triangulation were completed to ensure credibility and trustworthiness of the study's findings. Results: Twelve out of the fourteen ATSs stated that they have experienced burnout, and all associated a career in athletic training with the potential for burnout. Role Strain and Time emerged as the two major factors leading to burnout, and many capitalized on Social Support and Personal Time to alleviate the stressors causing their burnout. Conclusion: Athletic training students must find time to balance multiple roles and responsibilities, however, when they feel unable to adequately address those roles, they experience burnout. Program directors and educators are encouraged to promote stress management strategies with their students, and encourage them to seek involvement in outside activities to help increase their ability to regulate and control their stress levels.