Identifying Essential Resources for Per-Diem Athletic Trainers Using the Nominal Group Technique

Context : Per-diem athletic trainers (ATs) are essential for providing emergency care at athletic events, yet they often face inconsistent access to critical resources and unclarity about who is responsible for supplying them. Purpose : To explore ATs’ perspectives and identify essential resources needed for safe and effective patient care in the per-diem setting. Methods : Twenty ATs with recent per-diem experiences developed a standardized list of resources using the nominal group technique. Results : Eight resources were consistently identified across all groups: an automated external defibrillator (AED), emergency action plan (EAP), detailed job outline, ice, splints, tape, gauze, and band-aids. Of these, an AED, EAP and a detailed job outline were ranked as most important across all groups. In addition, a comprehensive resource list, encompassing items and ideas from all five groups, was created. Interpretation : Establishing standardized resource expectations can help ensure organizational accountability for resource provision and maintenance, improve emergency preparedness, and support ATs in delivering high-quality care. These findings highlight gaps in communication and responsibility that may affect patient safety and provide a foundation for future work to tailor resource lists to specific event types and environments.