Concussion: prevention, detection and management
As of 2024, this MOOC has been updated to reflect the recommendations of the 6th International consensus on sport-related concussions, published in June 2023. The MOOC demystifies concussion and explains how everyone can play a role in the prevention, identification, and management of this type of traumatic brain injury. The course also describes how a concussion management protocol can be adapted to different environments, implemented, and periodically revised. It was developed to meet the needs of parents, coaches, teachers and administrators of school and sport environments, health care professionals, and athletes/individuals that have experienced a concussion. The course is offered in collaboration with the University of Calgary.
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Syllabus
Introduction
- Definition of concussion
- Concussion and the spectrum of traumatic brain injuries
- The pathophysiology of concussion
- What are the potential residual effects and sequels of concussion
- The objectives of a concussion management protocol
- An introduction to the development and implementation of a concussion management protocol
Step 1: Prevention
- Risk factors for concussion
- Sports, recreational, and other activities at risk for concussion
- Safer sport environments
- Interventions that help to prevent concussions
- Protection equipment: myths and realities
- A synergy between stakeholders
Step 2: Detection
- Signs, symptoms, and “Red Flags”
- Detection technology: myths and realities
- Initial management: Recognize, remove, re-evaluate, refer
Step 3: Management
- Typical evolution of a concussion
- Initial rest and gradual return to cognitive and physical activity
- When should you refer on
Step 4: Access to care
- Return-to-play recommendations
- Rehabilitation
- Reconsider elements that suggest a less favorable evolution
- Conditions that should be recognized in the presence of persistent symptoms
- The importance of an individualized and multidisciplinary treatment plan
Step 5: Adaptation, implementation and revision of protocols
- Achieving the optimal result with consideration of available resources
- Staying up-to-date and revising a protocol
- Learning from your experience to improve your protocol
- Planning your strategy to get every potential stakeholder involved
Team
Kathryn Schneider, PT, PhD, DipManipPT
Full academic degrees: BKin(hons), BHScPT, DSc, PhD, DipManipPT
Clinical Specialist-Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation
Dr. Kathryn Schneider is an Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist (Physiotherapist) and an epidemiologist at the Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the prevention, detection and rehabilitation of sport-related concussion. Her research to date has informed multifaceted screening and assessment of concussion (including the importance of evaluating the cervical spine), concussion prevention strategies and informed changes to recommendations to rehabilitation – including identification of positive outcomes on recovery following concussion with the use of cervicovestibular rehabilitation. She is a Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists and has expertise and certification in vestibular rehabilitation. She was recognized by Avenue Magazine as “Top 40 Under 40” in 2012, was the recipient of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) Champion of Vestibular Medicine Award in 2015 and recognized by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association with a Centenary Medal of Distinction in 2021. She has been involved as an Expert Panelist at the 4th and 5th International Conferences on Concussion in Sport and Scientific Committee member and led the methodology informing the 5th and 6th International Conferences on Concussion in Sport. She was the co-lead author of the Amsterdam Consensus Statement and co-chair of the Scientific Committee for the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport. Her clinical practice focuses on the treatment of recreational to elite/professional athletes with concussion. She has also worked with many sport organizations and health organizations to optimize the prevention, detection and management of concussion and implementation of protocols – locally, nationally and internationally. She has the pleasure of co-leading the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Concussion with Dr. Fremont.
Pierre Frémont, MD, phD, FCFP (SEM)
Pierre Frémont is a professor in the School of Rehabilitation from the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval since 1994. He is a past-president of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Since 2014, he has been involved as a medical expert on concussion on several Canadian national and provincial (Quebec) initiatives to develop and implement concussion-related recommendations and policies in education, sport and leisure environments. As a clinician and researcher, he has developed a broad expertise on the challenges related to the implementation of protocols for the prevention, detection and management of concussions. He has been involved in implementing concussion management strategies in environments ranging from youth development sports to international sport competition.
In 2016, he developed the first MOOC in concussion in French language at Université Laval. He was a co-author of several of the systematic reviews that informed the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, held in Amsterdam in October 2022.
For more information
Email: mooc.info@ulaval.ca
Phone number: 418 656-2131, poste 403234