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SPRINZ
Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours of New Zealand Physiotherapists to Sports Related Concussion The following article is a summary of the key outcomes of the recent survey completed by physiotherapists, some of whom are members of SEPNZ. Citation for full report: Reid, D., Hume, P. A., Theadom, A., Whatman, C., Walters, S. R & Fulcher, M. (2019). Knowledge attitudes and behaviours (KAB) surveys on concussion in sport: Physiotherapists December 2018 Survey. Report # 6 to Accident Compensation Corporation. SPRINZ, Auckland University of Technology. 16 pages.
Duncan Reid (Professor, Physiotherapy) Chris Whatman (Associate Professor, Sport and Exercise Science) Sports Performance Research Institute NZ, Auckland University of Technology Introduction Sport related concussion (SRC) is a significant problem
in
New
Zealand
sporting
populations
(Theadom et al., 2014) and related claims represent a significant cost to ACC. It has been estimated that 21% of all traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are sustained in the sports arena. Rugby, cycling and equestrian activities have been identified as the most common cause of mild-TBI/concussion in sports (Theadom et al., 2014). The management of SRC was outlined in the most recent consensus statement released in 2017 by the Concussion
in
Sport
Group
(Echemendia,
Meeuwisse, McCrory, 2017). The purpose of the consensus
statement
was
to
assist
health
professionals who are involved with assessment and management of SRC.
The guideline recommends
the use of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) fifth edition and the 11 R’s (Recognise; Remove; Re-evaluate; Rest; Rehabilitation; Refer; Recover; Return to sport; Reconsider; Residual effects and sequelae; Risk reduction) (McCrory et al., 2017).
play (RTP) be signed off by that medical doctor. However, a recent survey of NZ General Practitioners (GP) and Emergency Care Doctors (ECD), (Reid et al 2018) indicates several key issues with this guideline recommendation. Firstly, few are using the Side-line Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) as part of the assessment, secondly, the number of patients being assessed is low and thirdly GP and ECD are not confident with making RTP decisions. Physiotherapists are a key part of the health management of people that suffer SRC. They are often the only health professional available at the sports field to potentially assess and manage acute concussion episodes and the sequelae. There is no previous research into the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of New Zealand physiotherapists to SRC. American research (Yorke et al., 2016) found that Physical Therapists had very good knowledge and attitudes to SRC but were less confident in their knowledge of return to play decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to survey physiotherapists in relation to their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours to SRC in a NZ setting.
One of the key aspects in these guidelines is the ability of the concussed sports person to be assessed by a medical doctor and that clearance to return to CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >>
