Crimson Publishers Publish With Us Reprints e-Books Video articles

Abstract

Research & Investigations in Sports Medicine

Perceived and Actual Knowledge of Over the Counter Anti-inflammatory Medications Among Athletic Trainers

Submission: August 12, 2020;Published: September 22, 2020

DOI: 10.31031/RISM.2020.07.000654

ISSN: 2577-1914
Volume7 Issue1

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested a gap between perceived and actual knowledge of different therapeutic modalities among athletic trainers. However, the authors of these studies have noted that further investigation into athletic training populations is needed to determine the full extent of knowledge gaps related to athletic training skills and tasks. To the authors’ knowledge, there have been no studies conducted to describe the perceived and actual knowledge of over the counter anti-inflammatory medications among athletic trainers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe the perceived and actual knowledge of over the counter anti-inflammatory medications among athletic trainers. A total of 96 athletic trainers participated in this study (age= 43 ± 13 years, certified experience = 19 ± 12 years). Participants were sent an electronic survey by email that assessed frequency of usage, perceived knowledge, and actual knowledge of cupping therapy. Measures of central tendency (means, standard deviations, frequencies) were calculated for all survey items. Data was downloaded and analyzed using a commercially available statistics package (SPSS Version 26, IBM, Armonk, NY). A Pearson correlation was calculated for the perceived knowledge mean score and the actual knowledge total score to identify a knowledge gap between what participants believed they knew and what they actually knew. The majority of participants also reported using over the counter anti-inflammatory medications during a typical week of clinical practice. Regarding perceived knowledge, the majority of participants were above the mid-range of agreement/disagreement, indicating at least some confidence about their knowledge of over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. Average scores on actual knowledge were 7.40 ± 3.12. A weak positive relationship was found between perceived knowledge and actual knowledge of over the counter anti-inflammatory medications (r = 0.241, P = 0.018). As with previous studies on athletic training skills and knowledge, the average scores for actual knowledge were lower than 75%. This demonstrates a need for improved knowledge transfer and retention with regards to over the counter anti-inflammatory medications used by athletic trainers. Future research should assess perceived and actual knowledge of other athletic training knowledge and skills, and the best practices for improving knowledge transfer and retention.

Get access to the full text of this article