Exploring Gaps in Concussion Knowledge and Knowledge Translation Among Coaches of Youth Female Hockey

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Medical Students with Regard to Concussions: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Concussions, categorized as mild traumatic brain injuries, result from traumatic events and present a significant concern within the field of traumatic brain injuries. Understanding the multifaceted pathophysiology of concussions, their diverse symptomatology, and their appropriate management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals. This study explores the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of medical students at King Faisal University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia regarding concussions.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess a diverse group of medical students at King Faisal University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Participants were surveyed using a questionnaire covering socio-demographic information, knowledge assessment, attitude assessment, and behavior assessment.

RESULTS

Of the 315 participants, 68.3% demonstrated good knowledge about concussions. Participants generally recognized concussions as a type of traumatic brain injury (68.9%) and believed it was necessary to report concussion symptoms to a doctor (80.3%). However, certain misconceptions existed, such as the belief that all patients with concussion should rest for seven days (31.7%). Participants primarily obtained information from teachers (100%) and the internet and social media (81.6%).

CONCLUSION

While medical students at King Faisal University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia generally exhibited good knowledge about concussions, specific knowledge gaps and misconceptions were seen to exist. To ensure comprehensive understanding and promote appropriate management, continuous education, and awareness campaigns are essential, with healthcare providers playing a pivotal role in knowledge dissemination.

Blowing the Whistle on Concussion Knowledge and Education in Youth Sport Referees

Purpose

To gain an understanding of referee concussion knowledge, what sporting organizations were doing to prepare their referees to recognize concussions in youth sport, and what role referees could play in overall concussion safety.

Materials and Methods

A total of 134 referees participated in the study across four provincial sporting organizations (rugby, soccer, ice hockey, and football). Participants completed a concussion knowledge questionnaire that explored knowledge about concussion education, recognition, management, preparedness, and the role of the referee in overall concussion management.

Results

Overall, the sample was found to be moderately knowledgeable about concussions. Referees that received previous formal concussion education had statistically significant higher average scores when compared to those without formalized concussion education (P=0.001). However, only 24% of respondents reported receiving any formal education from their sporting body or referee organization. About 85% felt that referees could play an important role in concussion recognition in youth sport, but only 41% felt they were adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognize these injuries.

Conclusion

The findings from this study suggest that national, provincial, and individual sporting organizations should ensure that all stakeholders (including referees) are formally educated about concussions to encourage a safety-first environment for youth athletes. Educational sessions should focus on the general aspects of SRC while also focusing on the specific role of the referee in concussion recognition.

Awareness of Concussion-Education Requirements, and -Management Plans and Concussion Knowledge in High School and Club Sport Coaches

Context

A growing number of high-school–aged athletes participate on club sport teams. Some, but not all, state concussion laws apply to both interscholastic and private sport organizations. However, concussion education, management plans, and knowledge have not been examined in club coaches who coach high school-aged athletes.

Objective

To determine if differences in concussion education, management plans, and knowledge exist between high school coaches and coaches of club sport teams.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Online survey.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 769 coaches (497 high school coaches, 272 club coaches coaching high school-aged athletes; 266 women [34.6%], 503 men [65.4%]) completed an anonymous online questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The questionnaire consisted of demographic and team information, requirements for concussion-education and -management plans, and concussion knowledge.

Results

High school coaches were more likely than club coaches to report that their organizing bodies or leagues required them to receive concussion-education information (97.4% versus 80.4%; P < .001) and that their organizing bodies or leagues had a concussion-management plan (94.0% versus 70.2%; P < .001). High school coaches were more likely than club coaches to correctly agree that most concussions resolve in 7 to 10 days (48.6% versus 40.1%; P = .02) and disagree that loss of consciousness is required to diagnose a concussion (87.1% versus 80.9%; P = .02).

Conclusions

Club coaches were less likely to be aware of requirements for concussion-education and -management plans from their parent organizations and scored lower on specific concussion-knowledge questions than high school coaches despite the same education requirements across groups under their state concussion laws. These results raise concerns regarding the proper management of concussions in club sports and suggest a need for greater oversight and enforcement of state laws in the club sport setting.

Understanding the Level of Concussion Knowledge in High School Sports in New Jersey

BACKGROUND

Coaches, athletic trainers (ATCs), and parents/guardians (parents) are important contributors to the proper identification and management of concussions in student-athletes. However, there are limited studies on the identification of concussion knowledge gaps that will help inform educational efforts and improve concussion outcomes in these groups.

OBJECTIVE

To identify gaps and factors influencing concussion knowledge for high school athletics.

DESIGN

Survey.

SETTING

Public, private, and recreational leagues in New Jersey.

PARTICIPANTS

41 coaches, 34 ATCs, and 65 parents of high school student-athletes.

METHODS

A 17-item online survey examining concussion knowledge was distributed to coaches, ATCs, and parents. Analyses included ANOVA for between-group comparisons of continuous variables and Pearson's correlations for categorical data.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Demographics, concussion knowledge, application of knowledge, access to educational materials, and confidence in the ability to identify concussions.

RESULTS

Significant between-group differences were found for overall knowledge (F[2137] = 11.0, P < .001), factual knowledge (F[2137] = 8.7, P < .001), and application of knowledge (F[2137] = 3.5, P = .03), with parents scoring lower. Coaches, ATCs, and parents had gaps in factual knowledge of baseline testing scores and identification regarding symptom severity. More coaches (73.2%) and ATCs (97.1%) felt confident in concussion knowledge compared with parents (31.3%; P < .001). All groups thought mandatory education, new law, and guidelines were positive in promoting better care of student-athletes.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge gaps were identified in all groups. Educational programs for these groups should consider including targeted techniques, including vignettes, to illustrate application of concussion knowledge.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Demographic, Parental, and Personal Factors and Youth Athletes' Concussion-Related Knowledge and Beliefs

CONTEXT: 

Currently, significant attention is focused on improving care for patients with concussions through legislative mandates that include educational interventions. Few researchers have examined young athletes' concussion knowledge and the factors that may influence their knowledge.

OBJECTIVE: 

To use the socioecological model to examine demographic, parental, and personal factors associated with youth athletes' knowledge of concussion. Our ultimate goal is to inform the planning and implementation of youth sport concussion-related interventions.

DESIGN: 

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING: 

Gymnasium and classroom.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: 

North Carolina and Arizona youth athletes (n = 225; age = 8 to 15 years) active in football, boys' or girls' soccer, boys' or girls' ice hockey, or boys' or girls' lacrosse in 2012-2013.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): 

Participants completed a validated, self-administered survey. The intention and belief measures were guided by the theory of planned behavior. Perceptions of concussion and intention to seek care were examined using descriptive statistics. Athletes' concussion knowledge was modeled using linear regressions and generalized estimating equations, with child demographic and personal factors and parental knowledge and attitudes about concussion as predictors.

RESULTS: 

Geography, sport, parental attitudes toward concussion, and athlete age were associated with athlete knowledge in the univariable analyses ( P < .10). In the multivariable model, geographic location (North Carolina versus Arizona, mean difference [MD] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 3.2), sport (girls' soccer versus girls' lacrosse, MD = 2.2, 95% CI = 0.7, 3.6), more favorable parental attitudes toward concussion (MD = 1.2 for a 2-standard deviation shift; 95% CI = 0.3, 2.1), and older age (>12 years, MD = 1.6; 95% CI = 0.5, 2.6) were associated with better knowledge about concussion.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Geographic location, sport, parental attitudes about concussion, and athlete's age influenced athletes' concussion-related perceptions, indicating the need to address multiple levels of the socioecological model when targeting youth sport interventions. Parental interventions that translate to an improved culture of youth sport by improving youth athletes' perceptions and experiences are key areas for future work.