Perceptions and attitudes of athletic training students toward a course addressing psychological issues in rehabilitation.

In 1999, athletic training adopted new educational competencies and clinical proficiencies addressing the following domains: (1) risk management, (2) assessment and evaluation, (3) acute care, (4) general medical conditions and disabilities, (5) pathology of illness and injury, (6) pharmacologic aspects of injury and illness, (7) nutritional aspects of injury and illness, (8) therapeutic exercise, (9) therapeutic modalities, (10) health care administration, (11) professional development and responsibilities, and (12) psychosocial development and responsibilities. These newly adopted competencies and proficiencies have improved the academic preparation of future certified athletic trainers. However, the addition of the 12th domain, psychosocial development and responsibilities, still may not provide athletic training students with a thorough understanding of the complex issues surrounding psychological adjustment to injury. This research study examined athletic training students' perceptions and attitudes before and after completing a new course addressing psychological issues of injury.