Date of Award

5-9-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

School Name

College of Health Professions

Department

Health Professions

Major Advisor

Dr. Lyndsey Blair

Second Advisor

Dr. Madeline Tomlinson

Third Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Levay

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Michael Weller

Abstract

In the field of athletic training, cultural competency is a topic that is highly under-researched. Athletic trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who provide care in a variety of settings, including secondary schools, where their patient population often includes student-athletes experiencing adverse social determinants of health and barriers to healthcare access. Only since 2022 has the governing body of athletic training education mandated that programs include cultural competency and DEI education in their programs, and to this day does not require programs to report adherence and methods of implementation. A quantitative, cross-sectional analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between cultural competency scores and exposure to culturally competent education among secondary school athletic trainers, specifically related to the 2022 implementation of the CAATE standards. Participants answered an online survey about their education and work experiences and then completed the Cultural Competence Assessment (CCA). The CCA is a previously validated survey that scores participants to give an overall cultural competence score. Statistical analysis was then conducted to determine associations between cultural competence scores and pre-determined independent variables. None of the outcome associations were statistically significant to support the hypothesis; however, inferential statistics were utilized to make recommendations based on the data. Overall, the findings indicate a clear need for athletic training education to better align with the realities of clinical practice, ensuring that athletic trainers are adequately prepared to provide equitable care to diverse patient populations regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

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Available for download on Wednesday, September 30, 2026

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