Salmon DM, Badenhorst M, Sole G, Sullivan SJ, Register-Mihalik J. The balancing act - Physiotherapists' experiences of managing rugby-related concussion in the community.
Physiother Theory Pract 2024;
40:1459-1476. [PMID:
36715056 DOI:
10.1080/09593985.2023.2170195]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) implemented a concussion management pathway (CMP) to improve management at the community level. Physiotherapists play an important role in the CMP.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored physiotherapists' experiences in the management of community rugby-related concussion as part of the CMP.
METHODS
We adopted a pragmatic, descriptive qualitative approach to explore perceptions of twenty-four physiotherapists involved in the CMP. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.
RESULTS
Four themes represented participants' experiences: 1) 'walking the tight rope between player welfare and performance' described the balancing act between different attitudes and priorities of the various rugby stakeholders; 2) empowering physiotherapists' authority and responsibilities, described the influence of physiotherapists' authority within the team and concussion management responsibilities; 3) multi-directional communication, described the role of communication between multiple stakeholders; and 4) the influence of context, which included the complexity of concussion, concussion knowledge of the physiotherapists and team, resource support for the physiotherapist, and access to a medical doctor.
CONCLUSION
Physiotherapists had positive attitudes toward the CMP and are well-positioned to play an active role in the pathway. Priorities of other stakeholders, authority of the physiotherapist and the communication flow influences physiotherapists' ability to optimally manage players with concussion.
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