Collegiate Athletic Trainers' Experiences Implementing Return-to-Sport Policies and Procedures During COVID-19: A Qualitative Research Study

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) were critical personnel in the development of policies and procedures for the safe return to campus and resumption of sport during the 2020-2021 academic year. Policies focused on preventing the potential spread of COVID-19, as well as screening, testing, and management of cases; however, which aspects of implementation were successful or more challenging was unknown. Objective: To identify successes and challenges in the implementation of return-to-sport policies and procedures during the 2020-2021 academic year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Qualitative study. Setting: National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, and III. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 27 ATs (9 women [33.3%], mean age = 48.5 ± 9.8 years, years of experience = 25.0 ± 10.5) who were in positions of leadership or who were actively involved in developing and then implementing COVID- 19 return-to-sport policies and procedures completed Zoom interviews. Data Collection and Analysis: Semistructured Zoom interviews were audio and video recorded and later transcribed. The data were analyzed by a team of 4 experienced researchers using the consensual qualitative research approach. Field notes, intercoder reliability, and multiple-analyst triangulation were used to establish data credibility. Results: Emerging themes were implementation of public health interventions, interprofessional collaboration, and advancing the profession of athletic training. Participants described establishing and strengthening collaborations with other health care professionals as well as key stakeholders on campus as a positive outcome of the pandemic, but variations in policies among institutions and states made policy communication and enforcement more challenging. Conclusions: The ATs played a pivotal role in policy development, communication, and enforcement. Overall, participants took pride in serving as health care leaders for their universities and opening the eyes of colleagues to the breadth of their athletic training skill sets.