In recognition of Concussion Awareness Day, the Government of Saskatchewan, Sask Sport and the Sport Medicine & Science Council of Saskatchewan offered a one-hour webinar: A Concussion Story – Lessons for Concussion Management.
Moderated by Rhonda Shishkin (Sport Physiotherapist and Certified Athletic Therapist for Craven SPORT Services and Canada Basketball), the webinar featured Ben Coakwell, three-time Olympic bobsledder and 2022 Olympic Bronze Medallist, as he shared his experience with concussions and how he managed them in his career.
The pair were joined by panelists Dr. Michael J. Nicholls (Clinical Coordinator at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine’s Enhanced Skills Sport and Exercise Medicine residency program), Dr Ryan Flett (mental performance consultant and mental health researcher) and Emmarie Racine Hallin (MSc (Kin) candidate, BKin. Hons, CAT (candidate)).
Here are six resources that can be used when dealing with concussions.
1 – Remember the 4 R’s
- Recognize the symptoms of a concussion.
- Remove the athlete from play or the activity.
- Refer athletes to a medical professional for assessment.
- Return to sport/activity only if and when the athlete has been cleared.
2 – Utilize the Concussion Recognition Tool 5 (CRT5) guide
- The CRT5 is a one-page document that helps identify concussions in children, adolescents and adults through a four-step process. Coaches and activity leaders should keep the CRT5 on their clipboard or in another place for quick and easy reference.
3 – Check out the Concussion Guides
- Parachute provides a concussion guide for athletes, coaches and trainers, parents and caregivers, as well as teachers and should be used as reference of what signs and symptoms to monitor if a concussion is expected.
4 – Receive a Medical Assessment Letter
- If an athlete is suspected of having a concussion, they should be referred to a medical professional. At that appointment, the athlete should receive a Medical Assessment Letter, filled out by the medical professional, with details of their assessment that can be provided to coaches, teachers, etc.
5 – Reference the Return to School and Return to Sport Strategies
- Athletes can have challenges in many aspects of their lives when they get a concussion, including in school as well as sport. The Return to School and Return to Sport strategies provide steps to help guide the athlete in their return to those activities.
6 – Get a Medical Clearance Letter
- When an athlete has seen a medical professional and has been deemed fit to return to all or some of their previous activities or sports, they should receive a Medical Clearance Letter.
Other concussion resources: