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Concussion management by primary care providers
  1. M D Pleacher,
  2. W W Dexter1
  1. 1Maine Medical Center, Sports Medicine, Portland, ME, USA
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Pleacher
 Maine Medical Center, Sports Medicine, Portland, ME 04102, USA; pleacherm{at}hotmail.com

Abstract

Objective: To assess current concussion management practices of primary care providers.

Methods: An 11 item questionnaire was mailed to primary care providers in the state of Maine, with serial mailings to non-respondents.

Results: Over 50% of the questionnaires were completed, with nearly 70% of primary care providers indicating that they routinely use published guidelines as a tool in managing patients with concussion. Nearly two thirds of providers were aware that neuropsychological tests could be used, but only 16% had access to such tests within a week of injury.

Conclusions: Primary care providers are using published concussion management guidelines with high frequency, but many are unable to access neuropsychological testing when it is required.

  • cerebral concussion
  • athletes
  • management
  • neuropsychological testing

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared

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