Survey of educators regarding the return to learn after a sport-related concussion

• Published in: British Journal of Sports Medicine 2017-06, Vol.51 (11), p.A87-A87
• Main Authors: Carson, James D, Garel, Alisha, Rendely, Alexandra, Meaney, Christopher, Moser, Stefanie E, Rabinovitch, Sarah T, Kraft, Sari A, Fremont, Pierre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097270.224

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of an educational intervention upon educators’ knowledge of sport-related concussion (SRC) management strategies and their understanding of academic accommodations as part of the return to learn (RTL) strategy after an SRC.DesignA pre- and post-intervention study.SettingA sport-focused Ontario (Canada) secondary school.Participants94 educational staff, including teachers, administrators and school psychologists.InterventionsThree ten-minute didactic lectures were followed by ninety minute facilitated focus groups during an educators’ professional development workshop. Participants learned about the nature and management of SRC with an emphasis upon RTL. Participants also had to reflect on their own experiences with some of the 63 students who had RTL at that school, after an SRC during the prior 3.5 years.Outcome measuresParticipants answered pre and post intervention surveys directed toward knowledge of SRC management principles and acknowledgement of accommodations.Main results81 of the 94 participants submitted two matched pre and post surveys. Educators indicated significantly increased understanding of SRC management and showed a significantly increased support of accommodations after the intervention (p