Novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education: a grounded theory.
OBJECTIVE
To discover the theoretic constructs that confirm, disconfirm, or extend the principles and their applications appropriate for National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)-accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs.


METHODS
Interviews at the 2003 NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia.


METHODS
Qualitative study using grounded theory procedures.


METHODS
Thirteen interviews were conducted with postprofessional graduates. Participants were purposefully selected based on theoretic sampling and availability.


METHODS
The transcribed interviews were analyzed using open coding, axial coding, and selective coding procedures. Member checks, reflective journaling, and triangulation were used to ensure trustworthiness.


RESULTS
The participants' comments confirmed and extended the current principles of postprofessional athletic training education programs and offered additional suggestions for more effective practical applications.


CONCLUSIONS
The emergence of this central category of novice to expert practice is a paramount finding. The tightly woven fabric of the 10 processes, when interlaced with one another, provides a strong tapestry supporting novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education. The emergence of this theoretic position pushes postprofessional graduate athletic training education forward to the future for further investigation into the theoretic constructs of novice to expert practice.
Neibert
Peter J
PJ
Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH 45207, USA. neibertp@xavier.edu
D000068:Accreditation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009820:Ohio; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000193:education*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States