Date of Submission
5-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Health Science
Department
Health Sciences
First Advisor
Michele Smallidge Ed.D., RD
Second Advisor
Stephanie Singe Ph.D., ATC, FNATA
Third Advisor
Anna Rivara Ph.D., MPH
MeSH
Burnout, Psychological, Compassion Fatigue, Wounds and Injuries
LCSH
Burn out (Psychology), Secondary traumatic stress, Athletic trainers, Sports injuries
Abstract
Context: While burnout is a widely investigated topic among athletic trainers, there is very little research on compassion fatigue and burnout as it relates to catastrophic injury management.
Objective: The aim of this study is to determine what, if any, impact catastrophic injury management has on the mental health and well-being of the athletic trainer. Secondarily, the study will identify coping strategies that athletic trainers may employ to cope with catastrophic injury.
Design: Qualitative study
Setting: One-on-one Zoom interviews that were audio and video recorded for transcription.
Patients or Other Participants: Eight certified or previously certified athletic trainers (n=4 men; n=4 women) were invited to participate in one-on-one interviews until data saturation was met. Inclusion criteria required the participants to have directly treated a work-related catastrophic injury within the past three years.
Data Collection and Analysis: This study followed an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach and utilized in-depth, semi-structured interviews to collect data. The data was analyzed using peer reviewing that included two individuals to promote objectivity and reduce bias. The codes derived from the transcripts were then organized into themes and included in the final write-up.
Results: Three themes emerged from the data: (1) Participants felt well prepared to manage catastrophic injuries, (2) Compassion fatigue as a dominant emotional response, and (3) Use of positive coping strategies.
Conclusion: Athletic trainers feel well prepared to manage catastrophic injuries but caring for athletes who suffer these injuries caused an emotional response in the form of compassion fatigue. Organizations within the athletic training community are encouraged to acknowledge this potential trigger and promote positive coping strategies.
Recommended Citation
Dadio, Kathleen C., "An Exploratory Study of the Experiences of Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Among Athletic Trainers Who Managed Catastrophic Injuries" (2024). Health Science Doctoral Thesis. 7.
https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/healthscidocthesis/7