Athletic Training Educators' Knowledge and Confidence About Competency-Based Education

Context: The knowledge and confidence of athletic training educators regarding competency-based education are not known. While there may be a role for this model of education within athletic training, it is important to gain an understanding of the familiarity current educators have with competency-based education. Objective: To assess current athletic training educators' knowledge and confidence regarding competency-based education. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Online survey instrument. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 163 respondents (19.2% response rate) from a convenience sample of 849 athletic training educators. Main Outcome Measure(s): Demographic information was collected. Participants completed a multiple-choice knowledge assessment along with pre- and posttest confidence ratings. Results: Composite knowledge scores were low with an average of 3.25 ± 1.9 correct responses out of 8 (40.6%). Average confidence scores were 2.8/4.0 ± 0.6 pretest and 2.0/4.0 ± 0.7 posttest. No significant relationships were found between composite knowledge score and years of experience as an athletic trainer or years of experience as an educator. Further, participants scored similarly with respect to composite knowledge, pretest confidence, and posttest confidence regardless of highest degree attained, program type, or recent participation in continuing education on competency-based education. Conclusions: Current athletic training educators demonstrated an overall lack of familiarity with competency-based education and reported average pre- and posttest confidence scores. While there may be merit in exploring the opportunities for a competency-based model in athletic training education, efforts should first ensure that educators are familiar with the concepts.