What best describes evidence-based practice in athletic training?

• A. It relies on clinical experience alone to guide care
• B. It ignores patient values in favor of research outcomes
• C. It relies solely on the most recent journal articles
• D. It combines best available evidence, clinician expertise, and patient values to guide care decisions

Answer: (D)

Evidence-based practice in athletic training means making care decisions by combining the best available research evidence with your own clinical expertise and the athlete’s values and goals. This approach ensures interventions are supported by data, yet tailored to the individual and acceptable to them. For example, you’d review current evidence on rehab protocols, use your experience to adjust progression to the athlete’s stage of healing and sport demands, and discuss goals and preferences with the athlete to decide on a plan. Approaches that rely only on experience overlook new evidence, while those based only on the latest articles ignore the clinician’s judgment and the athlete’s unique circumstances, and ignoring patient values can lead to care that doesn’t fit the athlete’s needs or goals.