Perceptions of Race and Ethnic Diversity on Athletic Training Clinical Practice

An abstract of a study by Coleman et al understanding the experiences of ethnically diverse athletic trainers and how their ethnic background has impacted them as athletic trainers is presented. Analysis revealed 3 themes: open-mindedness, connections, and mentorship. Open-mindedness was perceived to be an aspect of their clinical practice attributed to their race and ethnicity that gave them a better ability to understand the athlete as a whole, elevating the level of care provided to their athletes. Participants also referred to their cultural background as a reason why they are able to connect with and develop relationships with their athletes due to familiarity and a sense of inclusion. The theme of mentorship stems from participants identifying with fellow racially diverse members and acting as a resource for minority athletes.