Jeremy,

We are currently evaluating this transition to moving to a comprehensive
student tracking system to become (for the most part) paperless.

We have been utilizing SurveyMonkey for a little over 2 years now as the
data collection and analysis tool for our clinical evaluation instruments,
alumni surveys, exit surveys, etc., and have had very good success. The
only issue we encountered is that SurveyMonkey does not provide for digital
signatures, which does require us to print individualized responses and
distribute to students and CIšs for final review and signature on file.

Late this past July I received an email regarding an allied health student
tracking system (AHST), which by chance the company (www.TyphonGroup.Com) is
out of New Orleans. After talking with them, they have an extremely
powerful web-based subscription service as Atrack, but far advanced into the
medical model regarding student/clinical instructor assignments,
etc.....this initial talks with them spurned us to also further research
other companies that offer Allied Health Student Tracking software systems,
of which included ŗE*Value˛ by Advanced Informatics
(www.advancedinformatics.com).

For the financial investment, they range from no license fee to a $200-400
annual fee, + a per user fee. In the case of one company, there was only a
one-time student fee ($65-$75) which the student has an active record for
5-6 years good for application phase through 2-3 years of alumni status.

The bottom line I think in us possibly not using Atrack is that for the cost
comparison for what other companies offer. Not saying that we not
considering Atrack, because we are and for simplicity of use this may be the
best mechanism for us. However, the requirement with Atrack is that in
order to use the system a student must be an NATA member. Other than that,
I would like to see an Atrack system that allows for Preceptor assignments,
customizable online evaluation instruments (similar to Survey Monkey but
with digital signature verification), tracking of patient encounters, etc.

In closing, we are considering the use of a system that we will most likely
start the integration with our Application Phase of our program over this
next year, whereby we would eventually require all applicants to provide a
one-time fee to get into a system. We are considering this option if we opt
to go with a system other than Atrack. If we use Atrack, then we would most
likely start this year.

Best of luck with the evaluation process!




Ray Castle, PhD, ATC, LAT
Assistant Professor - Professional Practice
Director - Concentration in Athletic Training
Louisiana State University <http://lsu.edu/>
Department of Kinesiology <http://lsu.edu/kinesiology>
112 Huey P. Long Fieldhouse
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
O# 225.578.7175
F# 225.578.3680

The Concentration in Athletic Training is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
<http://www.caate.net/>

LSU Athletic Training Trivia......˛did you know˛???

* LSUšs famous mascot, a Bengal Tiger named ŗMike the Tiger˛, was actually
named for LSUšs 1st head athletic trainer (Michael Chambers).

* BOC Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) are medical professionals who are
experts in injury prevention, assessment, treatment and physical
rehabilitation, particularly in the orthopedic and musculoskeletal
disciplines.

* LSU athletic training graduates had an 87.5% first-time pass rate on the
BOC Certification Examination in 2008.

* In 2008, two LSU athletic training students were accepted for medical
internships with NFL Football Teams (New York Giants; Houston Texans).