Dataset Information

Development of a tailored concussion education program for athletes: a pragmatic multimethods design and integrated knowledge translation approach from needs assessment to design.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To understand Canadian university athletic programme concussion management needs, and to describe development and content of a tailored online concussion education tool for Canadian university/college athletes.

Design

An integrated knowledge translation multiphased, multimethods approach was used. Phases included a needs assessment survey with university representatives and athletes, content selection, mapping behavioural goals to evidenced-based behaviour change techniques, script/storyboard development, engagement interviews with university athletes and tool development using user-centred design techniques.

Setting

Canadian U SPORTS universities (n=56).

Participants

Overall, 64 university representatives (eg, administrators, clinicians) and 27 varsity athletes (52% male, 48% female) completed the needs assessment survey. Five athletes participated in engagement interviews.

Outcome measures

Surveys assessed previous athlete concussion education, recommendations for concussion topics and tool design, concussion management challenges and interest in implementing a new course.

Results

Institutions used a median (Med) of two (range 1-5) approaches when educating athletes about concussion. Common approaches were classroom-style education (50%), online training (41%) and informational handouts (39%). University representatives rated most important topics as: (1) what is a concussion, (2) how to recognise a concussion and (3) how to report a concussion (Med_all=4.8/5). Athletes felt symptom recognition (96%) and effects on the brain (85%) were most important. The majority of athletes preferred learning via computer (81%) and preferred to learn alone (48%) versus group learning (7%). The final resource was designed to influence four behaviours: (1) report symptoms, (2) seek care, (3) encourage teammates to report symptoms and (4) support teammates through concussion recovery. Examples of behaviour change techniques included: knowledge/skills, problem-solving scenarios, verbal persuasion and social comparison. Athletes are guided through different interactions (eg, videos, flip cards, scenarios, testimonials) to maximise engagement (material review takes ~30 min).

Conclusions

The Concussion Awareness Training Tool for athletes is the first Canadian education tool designed to address the needs of Canadian university/college athletes.

SUBMITTER: Black AM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10689399 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Development of a tailored concussion education program for athletes: a pragmatic multimethods design and integrated knowledge translation approach from needs assessment to design.

Black Amanda M AM Turcotte Kate K Fidanova Alex A Sadler Karen K Bruin Samantha S Cheng Phoebe P Karmali Shazya S Taylor Taryn T Halliday Drew D Babul Shelina S

BMJ open 20231129 11

<h4>Objectives</h4>To understand Canadian university athletic programme concussion management needs, and to describe development and content of a tailored online concussion education tool for Canadian university/college athletes.<h4>Design</h4>An integrated knowledge translation multiphased, multimethods approach was used. Phases included a needs assessment survey with university representatives and athletes, content selection, mapping behavioural goals to evidenced-based behaviour change techni ...[more]

PMID: 38030256

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Project description:ContextAlthough it has been suggested that developmental and sociological factors play a role in concussion reporting, the empirical evidence related to this is limited.ObjectiveTo examine the influences of sex, school level, school location, concussion-reporting history, and socioeconomic status on concussion-related knowledge, attitudes, and reporting intentions among middle school and high school athletes.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingMaster students and High School athletes attending pre-participation examinations (PPEs) were asked to complete paper-based surveys.Patients or other participantsOverall, 541 athletes representing 18 sports returned fully completed surveys.Main outcome measure(s)Outcomes were concussion-related knowledge, perceived seriousness, positive feelings about reporting, and self-reporting intentions. We examined group differences in these outcomes across levels of the explanatory variables of sex, school level (middle school versus high school), school location (urban versus rural), concussion self-reporting history (yes or no), and socioeconomic status (free or reduced-price lunch versus no free or reduced-price lunch) using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Then we used multivariable ordinal logistic regression models to identify predictors of higher score levels for each outcome. Odds ratio (OR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) excluding 1.00 were deemed significant.ResultsOdds of higher levels of knowledge were higher in urban versus rural school student-athletes (ORAdjusted = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.03, 3.17), and lower in student-athletes on free or reduced-price lunch versus those not on free or reduced-price lunch (ORAdjusted = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.36, 0.77). Similarly, odds of higher levels of seriousness were lower in male versus female student-athletes (ORAdjusted = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.32, 0.72). Further, odds of higher levels of self-reporting intentions were lower among male versus female student-athletes (ORAdjusted = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.37, 0.75).ConclusionsDevelopmental and sociological factors were differentially associated with concussion-related knowledge, attitudes, and self-reporting intentions. These results can inform medical providers, parents, and coaches with regard to context-specific clinical assessments of concussion symptoms.

Project description:ContextA 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.ObjectiveTo determine if differences in concussion education, management plans, and knowledge exist between high school coaches and coaches of club sport teams.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingOnline survey.Patients or other participantsA 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.ResultsHigh 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).ConclusionsClub 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.

Project description:ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the intention of health professionals to use evidence generated through an integrated knowledge translation (iKT) activity undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic to answer a time-critical research question about the delivery of community-based group programmes to rural clients via virtual technology, and describe the participating health professionals and researchers' perceptions of the iKT partnership.DesignMultimethod study incorporating qualitative and quantitative approaches.SettingTwo regional health services in Victoria (Australia).Participants26 allied health professionals (knowledge-partners) from eight disciplines across two regional health services and eight researchers from five Victorian universities.InterventionAn iKT approach was used to facilitate problem identification, evidence synthesis and adaption of evidence to the local context.Data collection and analysisParticipants were invited to complete a survey (knowledge-partners) and undertake a semistructured interview (knowledge-partners and researchers) on their experiences. A process log of collaborative activities tracked the type of engagement activities, who attended and the outcomes. The survey and process log results were analysed descriptively, the interviews using thematic analysis and a comparison of results approach applied to evaluate similarities and differences in the perception of the partnership from separate data collection and analysis processes.ResultsThe survey indicated strong positive attitudes towards using research evidence in practice as well as strong intentions to use it in the future by knowledge-partners. Knowledge-partners indicated that their expertise was used in the research process, although there was greater collaboration in some steps of iKT. The context of COVID-19 facilitated collaboration between knowledge-partners and researchers through a sense of urgency and shared purpose. Rapid team development was a key mechanism that enabled iKT. Team participation was necessarily pragmatic and flexible in nature to facilitate knowledge-partner involvement. Participants suggested the iKT process was likely to result in greater end-user buy in and a powerful example of how to upskill health professionals without a significant impact on their day-to-day workload. This project was considered by knowledge-partners to be more likely to have an impact compared with other projects without a research partner.ConclusionsThis study highlights how researchers and knowledge-partners can work effectively and rapidly to address a time-sensitive problem of mutual interest. Establishing and nurturing rural-based researcher and knowledge-partner networks is key to enabling agile and timely responses to the changing evidence needs of the health system.

Project description:ImportanceIdentifying plasma biomarkers associated with the amount of time an athlete may need before they return to sport (RTS) following a sport-related concussion (SRC) is important because it may help to improve the health and safety of athletes.ObjectiveTo examine whether plasma biomarkers can differentiate collegiate athletes who RTS in less than 14 days or 14 days or more following SRC.Design, setting, and participantsThis multicenter prospective diagnostic study, conducted by the National Collegiate Athletics Association-Department of Defense Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education Consortium, included 127 male and female athletes who had sustained an SRC while enrolled at 6 Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education Consortium Advanced Research Core sites as well as 2 partial-Advanced Research Core military service academies. Data were collected between February 2015 and May 2018. Athletes with SRC completed clinical testing and blood collection at preseason (baseline), postinjury (0-21 hours), 24 to 48 hours postinjury, time of symptom resolution, and 7 days after unrestricted RTS.Main outcomes and measuresA total of 3 plasma biomarkers (ie, total tau protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], and neurofilament light chain protein [Nf-L]) were measured using an ultrasensitive single molecule array technology and were included in the final analysis. RTS was examined between athletes who took less than 14 days vs those who took 14 days or more to RTS following SRC. Linear mixed models were used to identify significant interactions between period by RTS group. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted to examine whether these plasma biomarkers could discriminate between RTS groups.ResultsThe 127 participants had a mean (SD) age of 18.9 (1.3) years, and 97 (76.4%) were men; 65 (51.2%) took less than 14 days to RTS, and 62 (48.8%) took 14 days or more to RTS. Linear mixed models identified significant associations for both mean (SE) plasma total tau (24-48 hours postinjury, <14 days RTS vs ≥14 days RTS: -0.65 [0.12] pg/mL vs -0.14 [0.14] pg/mL; P = .008) and GFAP (postinjury, 14 days RTS vs ≥14 days RTS: 4.72 [0.12] pg/mL vs 4.39 [0.11] pg/mL; P = .04). Total tau at the time of symptom resolution had acceptable discrimination power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.86; P < .001). We also examined a combined plasma biomarker panel that incorporated Nf-L, GFAP, and total tau at each period to discriminate RTS groups. Although the analyses did reach significance at each time period when combined, results indicated that they were poor at distinguishing the groups (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, <0.7).Conclusions and relevanceThe findings of this study suggest that measures of total tau and GFAP may identify athletes who will require more time to RTS. However, further research is needed to improve our ability to determine recovery following an SRC.

Project description:ObjectivesTo examine the association between self-reported exposure to concussion education and knowledge, beliefs and self-reported behaviour among parents and coaches of youth ice hockey players.DesignCross-sectional.SettingCommunity ice hockey teams from Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.ParticipantsParents and coaches of ice hockey players (ages 11-17, all divisions of play).Primary and secondary outcome measuresParticipants completed a questionnaire developed and validated to measure concussion knowledge, beliefs and concussion management behaviour (ie, coaches removing athletes from play; parents taking children with suspected concussions to physicians) consistent with the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). The questionnaire examined specific HAPA constructs (ie, risk perception, outcome expectancies, action self-efficacy, intention, action planning, maintenance self-efficacy, recovery self-efficacy) relevant to concussion management behaviour.ResultsParticipants included 786 parents (31.8% with coaching experience) and 10 non-parent coaches. Of the participants, 649 (82.6%) previously received concussion education. Based on a multivariable regression analysis adjusting for coaching experience, previous history of a child sustaining one or more concussions, first aid experience and cluster by team, exposure to concussion education was associated with a mean score difference of 1.36 (95% CI 0.68 to 2.03), p<0.0001, in the knowledge score. Exposure to concussion education was not significantly associated with any of the HAPA constructs based on Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.ConclusionExposure to concussion education may be associated with small overall differences in concussion knowledge but may not be associated with significant differences in beliefs or intended behaviours related to concussion management among youth hockey parents and coaches.When providing education or recommendations for concussion education sources to coaches and parents, educational strategies grounded in behavioural change theory that specifically target the motivators of behavioural change should be considered.

Dataset Information

Development of a tailored concussion education program for athletes: a pragmatic multimethods design and integrated knowledge translation approach from needs assessment to design.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Development of a tailored concussion education program for athletes: a pragmatic multimethods design and integrated knowledge translation approach from needs assessment to design.

Similar Datasets

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