To identify opportunities to improve coach-athlete communication, this study examined young athletes' perceptions and concerns about concussion, as well as their information needs. A qualitative data ...collection approach, based on the grounded theory methodology, was utilized. Six virtual focus groups were conducted with 17 male and female athletes’ ages 12 to 18 years. Results indicated that athletes were concerned about the potential long-term effects of a concussion. Athletes described multiple barriers that interfere with concussion reporting, including: being unfamiliar with concussion signs and symptoms, perceived pressure from teammates, concerns of interference that concussion reporting can have on gameplay, and a lack of focus on concussion during play. To help address these, participants expressed an interest in hearing frequently and directly, such as during a pre-game or practice huddle, from coaches about concussion and how to prevent this injury. The results demonstrate that concussion education programs can consider promoting messages for coaches to deliver to athletes about concussion prevention strategies and the benefits of concussion reporting on an athlete’s long-term health.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
In 2013, the National Academy of Sciences emphasized the need to develop, implement, and evaluate effective large‐scale educational strategies to improve the culture of concussion ...in youth and high school sports. In support of this recommendation, in this article we summarize research on factors that contribute to the culture of concussion.
METHODS
We conducted the literature search using 7 electronic databases. We used a scoping review method to identify studies that addressed knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, use of educational resources, and interventions related to concussion among young athletes, coaches, and parents.
RESULTS
Of the 33 articles identified, most focused on concussion education (N = 15), followed by knowledge (N = 13), behaviors (N = 13), and attitudes (N = 5). Three studies addressed multiple study populations.
CONCLUSIONS
The rapid spread of concussion education and awareness efforts has outpaced research on effective strategies to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to the culture of concussion. Further research is critical to inform the development and implementation of large‐scale educational efforts. This research should incorporate rigorous study designs; be inclusive of diverse ages, socioeconomic status, and racial/ethnic groups; and examine opportunities to improve behavioral outcomes around concussion prevention, reporting, and management.
Introduction: Current research recommends that students returning to school after a concussion should receive a return to school plan that is tailored to their individual symptoms. School ...professionals play important roles in designing and implementing the supports outlined in return to school plans. Methods: This qualitative study explored middle and high school professionals' experiences with concussion, particularly their knowledge and perceptions of the injury and their experience with supporting students with concussion. Six focus groups were conducted with two to four school professionals per group, including two groups of teachers, two groups of school psychologists and counselors, and two groups of school nurses. Findings were coded into four categories: (a) challenges with identifying a concussion; (b) strategies for communicating with students about concussion; (c) barriers to implementing return to learn plans; and (d) establishing a collaborative school support team. Results: School professionals who participated in the focus groups were knowledgeable about concussion and the importance of helping their student recover. Participants also understood the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of concussion and communicating with students and parents about this injury. However, the study participants reported various challenges related to concussion identification and management, including the perceived validity of concussion symptom reporting by students. A team-based approach was mentioned across all groups as the preferred method for school-based concussion management for students. Conclusion: School professionals in this study were eager to address concussion in their schools, but desire guidance on how to overcome social norms around concussion identification and reporting. In addition, there is a need for consistent use of written instructions from healthcare providers to help guide return to learn (RTL) accommodations. Practical applications: The findings from this study can help inform the integration of concussion, and other health, management plans in schools.
This study assessed young athletes' (ages 12 to 17) concussion attitudes and behaviors, particularly their self-reported experience learning about concussion and intentions to report a concussion and ...disparities in these experiences.
We used data from Porter Novelli's 2014 YouthStyles survey that is conducted each year to gather insights about American consumers.
Of the 1,005 respondents, 57% reported sports participation. Fourteen percent reported they may have had a previous concussion, and among them 41% reported having a concussion more than once while playing sports. Males (17.7%) were significantly more likely to report having a concussion than females (10.0%; χ2 (1)=7.01, p=0.008). Fifty-five percent of respondents reported having learned about what to do if they think they may have a concussion, and 92% reported that they would tell their coach if they thought they sustained a concussion while playing youth or high school sports. Youth from higher income families ($75,000–$124,999) were significantly more likely than youth from lower income families (less than $35,000) to report that they learned about what do if they suspected that they had a concussion.
Age of athlete, parental income level, athlete's sex, and living in a metro versus non-metro area led to disparities in athletes' concussion education. There is a need for increased access to concussion education and an emphasis on customizing concussion education efforts to meet the needs of different groups.
We identified athletes' self-reported previously sustained concussions and predictors of education related to concussion. Further research is needed to explore the age, gender and income gaps in concussion education among athletes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Guideline was created to help standardize diagnosis, prognosis, and management and treatment of ...pediatric mTBI. This paper describes the process CDC used to develop educational tools, and a dissemination and implementation strategy, in support of the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline.
Two qualitative data collection projects with healthcare providers who care for pediatric patients were conducted. In-depth interviews were used in both projects. Project One examined healthcare providers' guideline use and dissemination preferences. Project Two assessed perceptions of the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline educational tools.
Project One brought to light four key areas related to Guideline usage and dissemination preferences, specifically a need for: (1) partnership with professional medical societies; (2) integration into electronic health records, mobile apps, and websites; (3) development of continuing medical education (CME) opportunities; and (4) dissemination through healthcare system leadership. In Project Two, healthcare providers reported that the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline educational tools were well-organized, clear and easy to navigate, and informative. Healthcare providers also requested more information on the Guideline methodology.
Assessment of pediatric healthcare providers' current use of clinical guidelines and preferences for educational tools yielded important insights that helped inform CDC's dissemination and implementation strategy for the Pediatric mTBI Guideline.
The findings from these data collection projects can also inform other guideline implementation and dissemination efforts among healthcare providers.
Objective: Explore healthcare providers' experiences managing mTBI and better understand their use of mTBI assessment tools and guidelines.
Cross-sectional Methods: A random sample of 1,760 ...healthcare providers responded to the web-based DocStyles survey between June 18 and 30, 2014. The sample included family/general practitioners, internists, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners who reported seeing pediatric patients. We examined their experiences with mTBI to identify opportunities to increase preparedness and improve management of mTBI.
Results: Fifty-nine percent of healthcare providers reported that they diagnosed or managed pediatric patients with mTBI within the last 12 months. Of those, 44.4% felt 'very prepared' to make decisions about when pediatric patients can safety return to activities, such as school and sports after a mTBI. When asked how often they use screening or assessment tools to assess pediatric patients with mTBI, almost half reported that they 'seldom' or 'never' use those resources (24.6% and 22.0%, respectively).
Conclusion: Most healthcare providers reported seeing pediatric patients with mTBI, yet most feel only somewhat prepared to manage this injury in their practise. Broader use of screening tools and guidelines, that include clinical decision support tools, may be useful for healthcare providers who care for pediatric patients with mTBI.
Background:
For 15 years, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) HEADS UP education campaign has focused on increasing awareness of concussion among children to reduce adverse ...outcomes from this injury.
Objective:
To keep pace with the rapid expansion in media coverage, research, state laws and education efforts on concussion, the CDC embarked on a comprehensive evaluation effort to assess the campaign’s brand.
Method:
The CDC conducted a multi-step process to evaluate HEADS UP. This included surveying partner organisations and focus groups targeting key audiences.
Results:
The analysis demonstrated that most (70%) partner organisations have used the materials for 4 years or longer, and more than half (51%) found the materials very useful or extremely useful. Focus groups with the campaign’s target audiences yielded insights and opportunities to refresh the CDC HEADS UP brand. The need for more compelling images, prevention facts and use of eye-catching colours was signalled by all the campaign’s target audiences. Updates focused on the use of data visualisation, more emotionally compelling images and more engaging colours. The CDC also created a new tagline to focus on concussion prevention that encourages children and young people to think about protecting their brains from concussion so that they can have a safer future.
Conclusion:
This paper describes the process used to update the branding of an educational health promotion campaign in order to meet the needs of key audiences. Findings can help others working to keep their educational campaigns relevant and aligned with expanding and changing public health problems.
Background
Concussion, a commonly reported injury among young athletes, can lead to short- and long-term physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related symptoms. Parents are in a unique position ...to help identify a possible concussion and to support an athlete’s recovery.
Methods
This qualitative study used a focus group methodology to explore five research questions focused on two main topics: (1) parents’ perception of concussion and (2) parent–athlete communication. Two authors independently reviewed notes from each of the focus groups and then generated a list of emerging themes related to five research questions.
Results
Parents in this study valued and were interested in discussing concussion with their athletes. However, parents were uncertain about their role in promoting concussion safety and often rely on coaches to communicate with athletes about concussion reporting and recovery. Participants described barriers their athletes may face in concussion reporting and suggested strategies to improve communication about both reporting and recovery.
Conclusion
Concussion education efforts may benefit from promoting specific actions parents can take to prevent concussion and how to communicate effectively with their child about reporting a possible concussion.
Seat belts save countless lives each year, and vaccines prevent the spread of disease. RESOURCES www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/ epidemic/ http://turnthetiderx.org Zoe Donnell Senior comms specialist, ...ICF's social marketing and health communications practice
Anti‐Black racism, both interpersonal and systemic, is pervasive. Individual‐ and neighborhood‐level expressions of anti‐Black racism have been explored in many studies; however, Black youths’ ...experiences of racism across routine activity locations have not been examined as extensively. To address this gap, a Youth Research Advisory Board (YRAB) recruited 75 Black youths (M (SD) = 15.53 (1.77)), living in a segregated neighborhood (93% African American) with 42% of residents living below the poverty line, to participate in research on this topic. Participants in the study completed surveys three times a day for a month (ecological momentary assessment) about their positive and negative emotions and perceptions of racism and social support in routine activity locations (n = 2041). Youths reported more racism when attending school and walking on the street. A relationship between perceptions of racism and social support in routine activity locations and positive and negative momentary emotions was found. This paper will present implications for supporting adolescent development and interrupting anti‐Black racism at the level of routine activity locations, along with opportunities for engaging youth‐led community‐based solutions.
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