Perceived challenges and barriers for females working in the heat.

Given rising temperatures, globally, heat exposures and catastrophic heat illnesses are a major concern in laborer and industrial sectors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of females laboring in the heat regarding challenges and barriers encountered in their respective industries while working in the heat. A consensual qualitative research (CQR) design was employed to gain information related to participant occupational and job characteristics, feelings while working in the heat, adjustments made by employers when they work in the heat, and their experience working in the heat specific to their identified sex. Females were eligible to participate if they were currently employed in an environment that required them to work in the heat. Twelve females participated in a single, 45-60 min one-on-one semi-structured interview. Participants reported working in the manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and railroad industries. Upon completion of data analysis, one primary theme was identified: heat stress mitigation strategies, which were further broken down into two subthemes of formal strategies provided by the employer and informal strategies driven by the employees. Participants indicated there was a lack of heat stress prevention strategies implemented by their employers, which resulted in employees creating their own strategies to protect themselves and their coworkers from heat stress. Results indicated there are limited heat stress prevention strategies that are provided in industries that include females working in the heat. Unique considerations should be made to protect this population from the dangers of heat stress and must go beyond workers protecting themselves.

Employability in Academe for Athletic Trainers With the Doctor of Athletic Training Degree.

CONTEXT: The doctor of athletic training (DAT) degree has recently been introduced into academe. Limited literature exists regarding how individuals with this degree can become part of an athletic training faculty. OBJECTIVE: To identify department chairs' perceptions of the DAT degree and determine whether they viewed the degree as viable when hiring new faculty within a postbaccalaureate professional athletic training program. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Online survey instrument. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 376 department chairs who had oversight of Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education athletic training programs were invited to participate. Of these, 190 individuals (50.5%) accessed the survey, and 151 of the 190 department chairs (79.5%) completed all parts of the survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A web-based survey instrument consisted of several demographic questions and 4-point Likert-scale items related to perceptions of the DAT degree. Independent variables were degree qualifications, advanced degree requirements, institutional control, student enrollment, current faculty with a clinical doctorate, and institutional degree-granting classification. The dependent variables were the department chairs' responses to the survey items. RESULTS: More than 80% of department chairs were moderately or extremely familiar with the concept of an advanced practice doctoral degree, and 64% believed it would be extremely to moderately beneficial to hire someone with this degree in the athletic training program. Furthermore, 67% of department chairs were very likely or likely to hire someone with a DAT degree and expected they would do so in the next 5 years. Characteristics associated with higher perception scores were lower institutional student enrollment, having more current faculty with an advanced practice doctoral degree, and a lower institutional degree-granting classification. CONCLUSIONS: Department chairs recognized the DAT degree as a viable degree qualification for teaching in professional athletic training programs. Future researchers should examine the need for athletic trainers with the DAT degree in clinical practice settings.

Employability of the Doctor of Athletic Training Degree within Academe.

CONTEXT: The Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree has recently been introduced into academe. Limited literature exists regarding how individuals with this degree can be utilized as athletic training faculty. OBJECTIVE: To identify department chairs' perceptions of the DAT degree and determine whether they view the degree as viable when hiring new faculty within a post-baccalaureate professional AT program. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey design Setting: Online survey instrument Patients or Other Participants: 376 department chairs who had oversight of Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education athletic training programs were invited to participate. 190 individuals (50.5%) accessed the survey and 151 of the 190 department chairs completed (79.5%) all parts of the survey. INTERVENTION(S): A web-based survey instrument, which included several demographic questions and 4-point Likert-scale items related to perceptions of the DAT degree, was completed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Independent variables included institutional control, student enrollment, degree granting classification, faculty with a clinical doctorate, and advanced degree requirements. The dependent variables were the department chairs' responses to the survey items. RESULTS: More than 80% of department chairs were moderately or extremely familiar with the concept of an advanced practice doctoral degree and 64% reported it would be extremely to moderately beneficial to hire someone with this degree within the AT program. Furthermore, 67% of department chairs reported they were very likely or likely to hire someone with a DAT degree, and believed they would do so in the next 5 years. Characteristics associated with higher perception scores included higher institutional student enrollment, having more current faculty with an advanced practice doctoral degree, and increased level of institutional degree granting classification. CONCLUSION(S): Department chairs recognize the DAT degree as a viable degree qualification to teach within professional AT programs. Future research should examine the need for the DAT degree within clinical practice settings.

The Effect of Fibular Reposition Taping on Postural Control in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Clinical Scenario: History of acute ankle sprains can result in chronic ankle instability (CAI). Arthrokinematic changes resulting from CAI may restrict range of motion and contribute to postural control deficits. Mulligan or fibular reposition taping (FRT) has been suggested as a means to realign fibular positional faults and may be an effective way to improve postural control and balance in patients with CAI. Clinical Question: Is there evidence to suggest that FRT will improve postural control for patients with CAI in the affected limb compared with no taping? Summary of Key Findings: Three of the 4 included studies found no significant difference in postural control in patients receiving FRT compared with sham or no tape. Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate evidence refuting the use of FRT to improve postural control in patients with CAI. Strength of Recommendation: There is grade B evidence to support that FRT does not improve postural control in people with CAI.