A Study on the Current Status of Japan Sports Association Athletic Trainers’ Role and Employment among Medical Institutions

Abstract

In this study, we conducted an interview survey with medical institutions that employ full-time athletic trainers (ATs), certified by the Japan Sports Association. The purpose of this study was to clarify the ATs’ role in medical institutions and to consider the promotion of employment of ATs in medical institutions. The results showed that, ATs were in charge of rehabilitation assistants at all the medical institutions surveyed. In addition, it became clear that ATs’ work at medical institutions may include work at sports facilities attached to medical institutions and sports sites, in addition to in-clinic work. In order to promote ATs’ employment among medical institutions, it is important to strengthen the factors that contribute to their employment, improve on and reduce the hindering factors, and build a sustainable profit model.