Date Presented 04/03/2025
The results of this study indicate that an educational training may improve medical students’ knowledge of best practices for management of concussion, including the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the role of OT.
Primary Author and Speaker: Christina Finn
Additional Authors and Speakers: Ita Kaplan, Basya Grunwald, Chana Kalmanson, Karen Weiss, Chaya Kaufman, Tova Feigelstock
PURPOSE: In order to optimize recovery from concussion, promote return to activity, and prevent medical complications, best practice guidelines have been developed and implemented that emphasize a gradual return to activity (Patricios et al., 2023). Despite the importance of best practice guidelines, literature suggests that physicians may have difficulty translating best practice guidelines into clinical practice (Arbogast et al., 2013) and may not consistently communicate best practice return to activity guidelines to patients and families (Seabury et al., 2018; Weerdenburg et al., 2016). Education regarding return to activity following concussion that is developed from the perspective of an occupational therapist has the potential to offer a unique perspective that might not traditionally be included in medical school curricula. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of an education training module on medical students’ knowledge and perspectives of concussion best practices for return to activity and the role of occupational therapy.
METHODS: Medical students at a private Osteopathic Medicine School participated in an educational training seminar on best practices for return to activity following concussion and the role of occupational therapy. A pre and posttest with open and closed ended questions were used to evaluate the effects of the training program.
RESULTS: Medical students demonstrated improved scores on post-test knowledge assessment of concussion and best practices related to return to activity and reported that they were more aware of the importance of gradual activity, aerobic exercise, and interdisciplinary collaboration, including referral to occupational therapy.
CONCLUSION: The results indicate that an educational training on concussion, gradual return to activity, and the role of occupational therapy may improve medical students’ knowledge of best practices for management of concussion.
References
Arbogast, K. B., McGinley, A. D., Master, C. L., Grady, M. F., Robinson, R. L., & Zonfrillo, M. R. (2013). Cognitive rest and school-based recommendations following pediatric concussion: The need for primary care support tools. Clinical pediatrics, 52(5), 397–402.
Patricios, J. S., Schneider, K. J., Dvorak, J., Ahmed, O. H., Blauwet, C., Cantu, R. C., ... & Meeuwisse, W. (2023). Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport–Amsterdam, October 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(11), 695–711.
Seabury, S.A., Gaudette, É., Goldman, D. P., Markowitz, A., Brooks, J., McCrea M.A., Okonkwo, D.O., & Manley, G. T. (2018). Assessment of follow-up care after Emergency Department presentation for mild traumatic brain injury and concussion: Results from the track-tbi study. JAMA Network Open, 1(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.0210
Weerdenburg, K., Schneeweiss, S., Koo, E., & Boutis, K. (2016). Concussion and its management: What do parents know? Pediatric Child Health, 21(3).
