KNOWLEDGE OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS REGARDING AIRWAY ADJUNCTS

Context: Research shows that knowledge gaps occur among various professions and practitioners, which may harm patients. Little research has been done in Athletic Training to determine if knowledge gaps exist. Objective: To determine the relationship between perceived and actual knowledge of airway adjunct use and determine the difference in perceived knowledge. Design: Knowledge assessment Setting: Web-based survey Participants: 2000 Certified Athletic Trainers received the survey via email, 152 responded. Our response rate was 7.6%. Interventions: The perceived knowledge questionnaire was modified from Flynn and Goldsmith 5-item subject knowledge assessment. Flynn and Goldsmith examined the assessment tool to ensure validity and reliability. The 5 original items were applied to airway adjunct use to assess pre and post test perceived knowledge. We performed a factor analysis, which revealed that, 68.7% of the variance was assumed within 3 factors defined as knowledge retrieval, comprehension, and knowledge utilization. Main Outcome Measures: We measured pre and post-test perceived knowledge using the perceived knowledge questionnaire. Actual knowledge was measured using an assessment consisting of 9 questions related to common airway adjunct uses. We asked each participant to rate their likelihood to pursue continuing education during the pre and post-test perceived knowledge questionnaire. We also asked participants how often lifesaving skills were used in their job. We used dependent t-tests to determine the pre and post-test differences in perceived knowledge and likelihood to pursue continuing education. A correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between perceived and actual knowledge. We used an analysis of variance to determine if differences in actual knowledge existed between genders, employment settings, and how frequently they used life saving skills. Results: We identified no significant change (t150 = -0.91, p = 0.37, 95% CI = -0.17 to 0.06) in likelihood to pursue continuing education from before (pre = 4.35 ± 1.30) and after testing (post = 4.40 ± 1.35). A poor relationship (r = 0.36, p < 0.001) was identified between perceived knowledge and actual knowledge. We found a significant difference (F1,145 = 4.63, p = 0.03, 1-β = 0.57) between the frequency of use of life saving skills and actual knowledge. Conclusion: We identified a knowledge gap amongst athletic trainers in the use of airway adjuncts. Although the likelihood to pursue continuing education score was high, the score did not significantly increase after completing the assessment, which is inconsistent with previous literature. Participants who use life saving skills more frequently scored higher on the actual knowledge assessment, suggesting that the more frequently athletic trainers utilize a skill, the more knowledge they demonstrate