Reaching Underserved Communities in Partnership with Outreach Athletic Trainers.

Abstract

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. We conducted a cross-sectional study, collecting data from students and parents/guardians at a preparticipation examination event in April 2024. We recruited 79 unique participants (42 students, 37 parents/guardians). In a linear regression, parent/guardian trust in ATs, parent/guardian distrust in the health care 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. 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.