BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONCUSSION EDUCATION INTERVENTION TARGETING PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN SPORTS

Abstract

Despite the fact that sports-related concussions in youth has been a hot topic of the media in recent years, TBIs, of which concussions are some of the most common, remain one of the leading causes of death and disability in children. It has been estimated that a total of 1.1-1.9 million recreational or sports-related concussions occur in children 18 years of age and younger every year in the United States. With concussion rates being so high in children and dangers so detrimental, increasing concussion awareness and knowledge is essential. Some of the key figures in the reporting and management of sports-related concussions in youth are parents, who, research has found, know less about concussions than they self-report. In hopes of increasing concussion knowledge and improving concussed youth health outcomes, the purpose of this thesis is to examine the state of parental concussion knowledge, determine the related educational needs of the population, and establish evidence-based recommendations for the development of an educational module geared toward informing parents about the realities of sports-related concussions in children. This thesis will introduce the topic of sports-related concussion in youth, provide a detailed review of literature regarding relevant researchon this subject, and identify best-practice recommendations for the development of an educational module. The thesis will also outline a proposed implementation action plan and evaluation of this module.