MANUSCRIPT TYPE EDITORIAL 1 Copyright © by Indiana State University Clinical Practice in Athletic Training All rights reserved. ISSN Online 2577-8188 Volume 1 – Issue 1 – June 2018 Welcome to Clinical Practice in Athletic Training: Letter from the Editor- in-Chief Cameron J. Powden, PhD, LAT, ATC Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN Key Phrases Practice-based research, athletic training, sports medicine, evidence-based practice Correspondence Dr. Cameron Powden, Indiana State University, 567 N. 5th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47809. E-mail: Cameron.powden@indstate.edu Twitter: @CamPowden Full Citation Powden CJ. Welcome to Clinical Practice in Athletic Training: Letter from the Editor-in-Chief. Clin Pract Athl Train. 2018;1(1):1-2. https://doi.org/10.31622/2018/0001.1 Submitted: May 19, 2018 Accepted: May 23, 2018 EDITORIAL Evidence-based practice is an essential component of health care in which emphasis is placed on gathering the best available evidence in order to make informed clinical decisions. As such, this places a heavy demand on the literature to be timely and clinically applicable. Producers of healthcare research are primarily associated with academic research centers conducting research with non-patients in controlled settings.1 Much of this literature cannot be readily translated into clinical practice to inform decision- making and thus creates a chasm for healthcare providers between the best-available evidence and clinically feasible applications.2 The profession of athletic training is not shielded from these burdens. Currently, there is a need within the field of athletic training to produce and disseminate research findings that are “real-world” in their designs, applications, and conclusions. This type of research is often referred to as transitional, practice-based, or action research. Research of this variety takes place at the point-of-care in real patient populations to answer relevant clinical questions. It is completed by clinicians working together to answer community- based healthcare questions and translating research findings into clinical practice.2 Such practice- based research is patient and clinician focused in its needs, outcomes, and dissemination. Overall, there is a need within the athletic training community to develop high quality outlets for practice-based research. Our goal at Clinical Practice in Athletic Training: A Journal of Practice-Based, Outcomes, and Action Research (Clin AT) is to provide a clinician-friendly journal that excels in the dissemination of peer reviewed, clinically relevant research through an online, open-access platform for the dissemination of practice-based research in the field of athletic training. The journal will allow for clinical outcomes and process research that evaluates the products of athletic training practice from a patient and clinician perspective. To accomplish these goals, Clin AT will provide an outlet for individuals involved in the enhancement of the many forms of athletic training clinical practice, including those that do not hold the athletic training credential. Clin AT’s senior and section editors include individuals from diverse athletic training background ranging from nationally recognized athletic training researchers to practicing athletic trainers in a varied selection of clinical settings. Due to the diversity of the editors and the unique goals of the journal, our manuscript types are equally unique. We offer eight manuscript types that include: • Disablement model case studies and reports • Validation case reports • Point-of-care research • Clinical outcomes research https://doi.org/10.31622/2018/0001.1 Welcome to Clinical Practice in Athletic Training: Letter from the Editor-in-Chief 2 Copyright © by Indiana State University Clinical Practice in Athletic Training All rights reserved. ISSN Online 2577-8188 Volume 1 – Issue 1 – June 2018 • Quality improvement (PDSA cycle) reports • Preceptor case studies • Clinical expertise commentary • Patient-centered care commentary These manuscript types have been crafted to enhance the clinical applicability and application of findings within the clinical decision making process. Additionally, Clin AT has an international standard serial number (ISSN) from the Library of Congress and will be issuing a digital object identifier (DOI) for each published article. We feel that the diversity of our editorial board in combination with our unique manuscript types will allow for the cultivation of clinically applicable research. We are formally inviting all athletic trainers and those involved in the athletic training profession (medical directors, physicians, physical therapists, mental health counselors, etc.) to engage with the journal as both a contributor, reader, and reviewer. We hope to provide the practicing athletic trainer the opportunity to highlight their clinical expertise in an accessible format. Finally, Clin AT invites comments about how we can meet the needs of our readers and the field of athletic training via e-mail. REFERENCES 1. Sauers EL, McLeod TC, Bay RC. Practice- based research networks, part I: clinical laboratories to generate and translate research findings into effective patient care. J Ath Train. 2012; 47(5): 549-556. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050- 47.5.11 2. Bowen SJ, Graham ID. From knowledge translation to engaged scholarship: promoting research relevance and utilization. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;94(1):S3-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2012.04. 037 https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-47.5.11 https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-47.5.11 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2012.04.037 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2012.04.037 EDITORIAL