Preceptors Perceptions of Clinical Reasoning: An Investigation of Athletic Training Practice

Authors

Gary W. Cohen, University of South FloridaFollow
Bonnie L. Van Lunen, Old Dominion UniversityFollow
Julie M. Cavallario, Old Dominion UniversityFollow
Luzita I. Vela, University of ArkansasFollow
Bailey C. Jones, Arizona State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Clinical reasoning is critical for healthcare professionals to accurately diagnose and treat injury and illness. The development of this skill starts to form during a student’s clinical education where preceptors serve as the primary clinical role model. Preceptors in athletic training have expressed a desire to learn how to develop and teach clinical reasoning concepts to students. The first step in this process is to understand how preceptors clinically reason. Little investigation has gone into exploring preceptors understanding of their clinical reasoning in practice. The aim of this study was to explore athletic training preceptors' perceptions of their clinical reasoning processes. Methods: The researchers conducted nine qualitative, semistructured interviews with licensed athletic trainers who served as preceptors to professional-level athletic training students. Audio files were transcribed verbatim, checked for accuracy, deidentified, and member checked before analysis. A 3-person data analysis team using an inductive coding approach consistent with the consensual qualitative research approach was used. The researchers reviewed the transcripts independently, met to develop a codebook, applied the codes, and conducted internal auditing. To enhance trustworthiness, a 4^th member of the research team, serving as internal auditor, confirmed the accuracy of the findings following the structured, 4-phase data analysis progression. Results: Preceptors' perceptions of clinical reasoning revealed four main themes, and 12 categories emerged from the semi-structured interviews. The main themes were diagnostic reasoning, therapeutic reasoning, contextual reasoning, and metacognition. Conclusions: Preceptors demonstrate all facets of clinical reasoning, including diagnostic, therapeutic, and contextual reasoning. Preceptors did not articulate that they were purposefully using and developing these patterns of clinical reasoning. Allied health professions academic programs should use this data to foster and develop clinical educators who consciously communicate their mental processes to their students while utlizing clinical reasoning in their patient interactions.

Author Bio(s)

Gary W. Cohen, PhD, LAT, ATC is the athletic training program director of clinical education and assistant professor at the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Bonnie L. Van Lunen, PhD, LAT, ATC, FNATA is a full professor and Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA

Julie M. Cavallario, PhD, LAT, ATC is an associate professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA , USA

Luzita I. Vela, PhD, LAT, ATC is the athletic training program director and associate professor at the Department of Health, Human Performance, & Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA

Baley C. Jones, PhD is a quantitative research methods management analyst at ASU EdPlus, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

Recommended Citation

Cohen GW, Van Lunen BL, Cavallario JM, Vela LI, Jones BC. Preceptors Perceptions of Clinical Reasoning: An Investigation of Athletic Training Practice. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Apr 15;23(2), Article 23.