Keywords
Clinical Practice in Athletic Training
Abstract
Context: Native Americans and First Nations People have dealt with healthcare disparities that have been documented in previous studies. One factor that appears to have played a role in these disparities was the Indian Removal Act of 1851 which established the first Native American reservations. The foundation of these reservations led to many Native Americans being displaced from areas where the United States was establishing new population centers. This has led many individuals not understanding the conditions that Native Americans live in. Lack of knowledge of the conditions patients live in may negatively affect clinicians’ ability to provide optimal healthcare. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the awareness of athletic trainers related to the living conditions of Native Americans. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to NCAA and high school athletic trainers whose email addresses were available on their institution’s website. Recipients were asked to forward the invitation to any other athletic trainers they knew. A total of 132 (Age = 37 ± 13 years, Years of Experience = 13 ± 12, 87 Females, 45 Males) participants opened and completed the survey. After completing the demographics section, participants were asked to examine 11 sets of pictures and choose which one they felt was taken within the United States. Among each set was one picture from a Native American reservation, two pictures from countries with a GDP per capita of less than $6,000 USD, and an option to choose that the participant thought none of the pictures were taken in the United States. Results: On average, participants correctly identified pictures that were taken in the United States 57.9% of the time (SD = 0.21). Participants practicing in the 10 states with the most Native American reservations in the United States scored significantly higher than those from the other 40 states (t(129) = 2.053, p = .021). Conclusion: The majority of participants in this study demonstrated a lack of knowledge of the living conditions of individuals living on Native American reservations. It is important to note that many Native Americans chose to stay with their tribe regardless of the circumstances out of respect for their traditions. Nevertheless, it is important for clinicians to understand the living conditions of populations that include potential patients. Future research should attempt to study the impact of educational interventions for improving clinicians’ awareness of the living conditions Native Americans live in. Improved cultural competency is critical for ensuring patient-centered care. In the absence of timely implementation of such interventions, clinicians should ensure that they take thorough patient histories to gain the best understanding of their patients’ living conditions possible.
Recommended Citation
Trail, Laurel; Warner, Brandon; Peebles, Rebecca; French, Robert; Warner, Lynzi; and Cage, S. Andrew
(2026)
"Awareness of Native American Living Conditions Among Athletic Trainers,"
Clinical Practice in Athletic Training: Vol. 8:
Iss.
4, Article 3.
Available at:
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/clinat/vol8/iss4/3
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