Attitudes Toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccinations Among Athletic Trainers

Authors

Stephen A. Cage, The University of TexasFollow
Paul McGaha, The University of TexasFollow
Monica Matocha, Texas Lutheran UniversityFollow
Michelle Crum, PhD, The University of TexasFollow
Cathy Fieseler, The University of Texas (retired)Follow
Laurel Trail, The University of TexasFollow
Brandon J. Warner, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Diana M. Gallegos, The University of TexasFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Following the beginning of the pandemic brought about by the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19, the first COVID-19 vaccination received emergency use authorization in the United States of America in December of 2020. Current research has shown the authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations and death have a good safety profile. Additionally, the side effects associated with these vaccines are typically mild to moderate while the protection against hospitalization and severe disease is substantial. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html). At the time of this study, there appears to be a paucity in the research related to the attitudes toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines among athletic trainers. The purpose of this study is to describe the attitudes toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines among athletic trainers. Methods: A total of 186 athletic trainers (age= 43 ± 11, years of certified experience = 20 ± 11) opened and completed the survey. Participants were sent an electronic survey via email that collected demographic information and assessed attitudes toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Data was downloaded and analyzed using a commercially available statistics package. Results: The majority of athletic trainers surveyed had received a COVID-19 vaccination at the time of this study (94.1%, n=175). Most athletic trainers also agreed that the health of their patients was more important than disruption of their competition season due to COVID-19 (82.3%, n=153). In general, the most common reason for vaccine hesitancy was the speed with which currently available COVID-19 vaccines were developed. Conclusions: The findings of this study show the majority of surveyed athletic trainers had received a COVID-19 vaccine. The primary reason for athletic trainers not receiving a COVID-19 vaccination appeared to be the speed at which the currently available COVID-19 vaccines were developed. Given the available information on the new mRNA COVID vaccines, this may indicate a lack of education on the development of the COVID-19 vaccines. As athletic trainers continue to work in day-to-day patient care, it is imperative to determine the best methods for educating athletic trainers on the potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Author Bio(s)

S. Andrew Cage, EdD, LAT, ATC, is the Head Athletic Trainer and an Instructor of Health & Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Tyler.

Paul McGaha, DO, is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Community Health at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, and Physician through UT Health East Texas Physicians.

Monica Matocha, DAT, LAT, ATC, is an Assistant Professor of Athletic Training at Texas Lutheran University.

Michelle Crum, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Community Health at The University of Texas at Tyler.

Cathy Fieseler, MD, is a retired physician who previously served as the Team Physician for the University of Texas at Tyler.

Laurel Trail, MPA, LAT, ATC, is an Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Texas at Tyler through UT Health East Texas.

Brandon Warner, Ed.D., LAT, ATC, is the Athletic Training Program Director at Grand Canyon University.

Mitchelle Gallegos, MS, LAT, ATC, is an Associate Athletic Trainer at the University of Texas at Tyler through UT Health East Texas.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2022.2208

Recommended Citation

Cage SA, McGaha P, Matocha M, Crum, PhD M, Fieseler C, Trail L, et al. Attitudes Toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccinations Among Athletic Trainers. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2022 Sep 26;20(4), Article 14.