RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 PREVENTING ADVERSE CONCUSSION OUTCOMES: THE ONLINE CONCUSSION AWARENESS TRAINING TOOLKIT (CATT)
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 563
OP 564
DO 10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.11
VO 48
IS 7
A1 S Babul
A1 P Korn
A1 R Goldman
A1 I Pike
A1 C Hay
YR 2014
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/7/563.3.abstract
AB Background Concussion recognition, treatment and management is crucial in supporting recovery and decreasing the risk of long-term brain damage. Long-term effects are often not recognized early enough to prevent post-concussion syndrome, resulting in an impact on social and professional lives. The need to standardize care is vital in preventing adverse concussion outcomes. Objective To determine if concussion knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) are significantly improved among physicians and nurses following completion of CATT. Design A pre/post-intervention questionnaire designed to measure changes in physician/nurse KAP. Setting Primary setting was hospital emergency departments in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia. Participants Physicians/nurses working in emergency departments/trauma care facilities. Intervention Based upon established international principles, CATT is an online toolkit (www.cattonline.com) providing learner-directed concussion awareness training for health practitioners as well as assessment resources (SCAT3, Child-SCAT3), links to clinical resources, patient handouts, journal articles (including the Zurich Consensus Statement), related websites, concussion videos and study cases. Main outcome measures Change in physician/nurse knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding concussion recognition, treatment and management. Results 44 physicians and 35 nurses were recruited. Post-intervention questionnaires were completed by 34 physicians (77.3%) and 25 nurses (71.4%). Physicians demonstrated a statistically significant positive change in concussion practices (P=.001). Change in physician knowledge was not significant, while attitudes had a negative change (P=.041). Positive change in physician knowledge was detected for those who typically see more than 10 concussions per year (P=.039). Nurses demonstrated statistically significant positive change in practices (P=.005) and attitudes (P=.035), but no change in knowledge. Conclusions CATT is effective in improving concussion knowledge and practices among physicians and nurses, which will potentially minimize adverse concussion outcomes and lower health care costs among concussion patients. Phase 2 includes a toolkit for Parents, Players and Coaches, currently undergoing an evaluation with sporting associations in BC.