Current literature suggests that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) athletic trainers encounter difficulties in their workplace given their status as minorities. Previous studies have examined the attitudes of athletic trainers towards LGBTQIA patients but have not looked into attitudes of athletic trainers and coaches towards LGBTQIA athletic trainers. However, in order to effectively assess these attitudes, it is important to have a valid and reliable instrument to do so. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the scores on the LGB-KASH and Shortened Workplace Incivility Scale among credentialed athletic trainers in the state of Texas. A total of 42 credentialed athletic trainers participated in this study (age= 33 ± 10 years, certified experience = 11 ± 10 years). Participants were sent an electronic survey by email that gathered data on demographics, LGB-KASH scores, and Shortened Workplace Incivility Scale scores. Measures of central tendency (means, standard deviations, frequencies) were calculated for all survey items. Pearson Correlations were used to assess correlations between age, years of experiences, all subcategories of the LGB-KASH, and the Shortened Workplace Incivility Scale. An independent samples t-test was performed to determine differences between responses from heterosexual participants and gay, lesbian, and bisexual participants. Data analysis yielded several significant correlations. There was a low positive correlation between age and the Hate subcategory, and a low negative correlation between age and the Civil Rights subcategory. There was also a high negative correlation between the Hate subcategory and the Civil Rights subcategory. There were also significant differences between groups in the Knowledge, Religious Conflicts, and Internalized Affirmation subcategories. There were no significant differences in the Hate or Civil Rights subcategories, or on the Shortened Workplace Incivility Scale. Future research should examine the causes of the correlations described in this pilot study. Future research should also be directed towards examining the impact of lack of education and knowledge of LGBTQIA individuals and the issues they encounter on feelings of discomfort and self-consciousness.

Following the widespread transmission of the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, the first COVID-19 vaccine received emergency use authorization in December 2020. The purpose of this study is to describe the attitudes toward available COVID-19 vaccines among athletic trainers. 258 certified athletic trainers (age=43±12 years; years of certified experience=19±12 years) completed an electronic survey via email that collected data on demographics, face mask usage, and attitudes toward available COVID-19 vaccines. Data were downloaded and analyzed using a commercially available statistics package (SPSS Statistics Version 26, IBM, Armonk, NY). Measures of central tendency (means, standard deviations, frequencies) were calculated for all survey items. The majority of respondents reported that they were comfortable with the current level of authorization for available COVID-19 vaccines. Most athletic trainers stated that they would receive a COVID-19 vaccination when it was available, but that they would rather it be a voluntary choice rather than mandated by an employer or government body. The majority of athletic trainers reported personal, household, and vulnerable population safety as the primary considerations for receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. In general, these factors were more important to participants than were public perception or concerns over infringements of personal liberties. Given that athletic trainers continue to work in day-to-day patient care, it is important to consider the best means of educating athletic trainers on the potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations.

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Cupping therapy is becoming a popular therapeutic modality employed by athletic trainers and other allied healthcare professionals. It uses negative pressure to reduce pain, increase blood flow, and improve muscle function. Like many other therapeutic interventions, adverse effects related to cupping therapy treatment can occur. The majority of these effects-particularly muscle soreness-are mild and similar to those encountered in other treatments. While severe adverse events following treatment with cupping therapy have been reported, these events are rare and can often be explained by poor clinician education or flawed methodology. The risks associated with cupping therapy are comparable to, and sometimes fewer than, those associated with other contemporary therapeutic interventions. Proper clinician education, methodology, patient education, and patient communication are crucial when attempting to mitigate the risk of adverse effects related to cupping therapy.