RESEARCH LETTER
Christopher C. Ledford, MD; Lillie D. Williamson, PhD; Kathleen McIntyre, BS; Chris Johnson, MD; Marissa Lucas, DAT, LAT, ATC; Christy J.W. Ledford, PhD, FACH
Corresponding Author: Kathleen McIntyre, BS; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Email: kamcintyre@augusta.edu
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2025.250020R1
Keywords: Access to Care, Adolescent Medicine, Athletic Trainers, Community Medicine, Cross-Sectional Studies, Delivery of Health Care, Family Health, Family Medicine, Health Care Disparities, Health Literacy, Linear Regression, Multidisciplinary Care Team, Patient Care Team, Primary Health Care, Sports Medicine, Trust
Dates: Submitted: 01-15-2025; Revised: 03-04-2025; Accepted: 03-11-2025
Status: In production for ahead of print.
INTRODUCTION: Outreach athletic trainers (ATs) are a novel community-clinical linkage who connect high school students and family medicine practices. Our study quantitatively explored the relationship between students and ATs.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study, collecting data from students and parents/guardians at a preparticipation exam event in April 2024.
RESULTS: We recruited 79 unique participants (42 students, 37 parents/guardians). In a linear regression, parent/guardian trust in ATs, parent/guardian distrust in the healthcare system, student health literacy, and student age predicted student trust in ATs. Students were open to talking to ATs about concussions, headaches, and mental health concerns.
DISCUSSION: Findings here indicate that ATs are trusted health professionals who are well positioned to support whole-person care and link students to family medicine and primary care.