Comprehensive Concussion Care: A Multidisciplinary Approach

In 2022, it was estimated that ~2.3 million children and adolescents received a diagnosis of concussion/mild traumatic brain injury, with nearly 70% of those cases due to sport and recreational activities. Current literature has demonstrated the importance of early diagnosis, referral to concussion care specialists, and multi-disciplinary treatment, especially in the pediatric population. This early and comprehensive post-concussion management can help ensure safe/successful return to learn and play.

This course will comprise of a panel discussion of pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapists from a hospital-based outpatient pediatric clinic. These panelists are all actively involved in evaluating and treating pediatric patients diagnosed with a concussion. Each panelist will define their role in post-concussion management and identify assessment strategies/tools to assess impairments and establish goals/monitor progress in this specific population. The group of panelists will discuss the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to concussion management, including return to learn/return to play, as well as potential clinical pathways to assist in guiding referrals to other healthcare professionals for further assessment when appropriate.

Participants are encouraged to join in clinical discussions related to program development, establishing clinical pathways, and/or patient cases related to the clinical decision making of various health care professionals involved in the field. The overall goal of this learning session is to advocate for pediatric therapists (including PTAs) to engage in a more collaborative approach to concussion management given current research, clinical presentation of patients who sustain concussion, and accessibility of HCPs who are often present in pediatric outpatient centers.