Collaborative Care in Concussion Management

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There is no cost to attend and all interested individuals are invited to participate.

EDUCATIONAL NEED

Concussion is a common form of mild traumatic brain injury that results from an impact to the head or body. An estimated 1.6 to 3.6 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur each year in the United States alone. Symptomology varies greatly depending on the impacted area of the brain, and diagnostic testing typically evaluates for physical deficits (e.g., balance,  coordination) and cognitive changes (e.g., alertness, memory, problem solving). 

Although approximately 70% of patients experience vision-related symptoms, visual performance measures are not as routinely implemented in concussion screening. This can lead to missed diagnosis and impaired cognitive functioning in the patient's future. Ophthalmologic evaluation enhances the detection of concussion and improves symptom management and patient outcomes. Due to the high incidence of concussion and its variable symptomology, visual specialists should always be included on the patient care team and healthcare providers must ensure that visual performance is accurately evaluated for all suspected concussion cases.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the roles of Occupational Therapy and Optometry in concussion management.
• Discuss the importance of evaluating the visual system following concussion to optimize functional outcomes.
• Examine a case study example of collaborative concussion management.