Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of Academic Adjustment Procedures for Student-Athletes With Concussion

Abstract

Purpose: To explore athletic trainers' perceptions of academic adjustments for student-athletes following a concussion. Methods:Sixteen secondary school athletic trainers selected via criterion-based and random purposeful sampling were interviewed via telephone. Inclusion criteria were: certified by the Board of Certification; completed the Beliefs, Attitudes, and Knowledge of Pediatric Athletes with Concussions survey; and had a minimum of 5 years of athletic trainer experience in the secondary school setting. Following transcription, a fourperson research team established thematic consensus.Results: Athletic trainers identified five primary themes from the overall study. This study focused on two due to their overlapping goals: the importance of using formalized policy and a variety of academic adjustments for student-athletes with concussion and their perceptions of which key personnel should be included in a concussion management team. Conclusions:This study demonstrates the need for, or enforcement of, policy, a defined progression, and a concussion management team within the school to successfully implement academic adjustments throughout recovery after concussion.

Critical Elements of Return to Learn for Students With Concussion: A Scoping Review

“…A large array of responsible persons for RTL policy and accommodation development were cited, including teachers ( n = 4),63,91–93 physicians ( n = 3),89,94,95 athletic trainers/directors ( n = 3),63,79,83 school nurses ( n = 2),91,95 and SLPs ( n = 2) 80,96. In 9 studies, the Beliefs, Attitudes and Knowledge of Pediatric Athletes with Concussions (BACPAC) was used 85,97–103. This tool was developed to understand collaboration, perception of leadership, concussion management, referrals, and academic accommodations.…”

“…Accommodations and management recommendations were primarily centered on linking students to resources,8 increasing concussion knowledge through education,89,91–93,114,115 decreasing stress,82,108 and increasing sleep/rest 82,108. The series of BACPAC survey studies found professionals agree accommodations are beneficial 85,97–103,106. Outside the BACPAC studies, 6 other articles developed surveys to assess benefits of accommodations 92,110,113–115.…”

“…80,96 In 9 studies, the Beliefs, Attitudes and Knowledge of Pediatric Athletes with Concussions (BACPAC) was used. 85,[97][98][99][100][101][102][103] This tool was developed to understand collaboration, perception of leadership, concussion management, referrals, and academic accommodations. Adapted versions interviewed school nurses, school psychologists, school counselors, teachers, and athletic trainers.…”

“…82,108 The series of BACPAC survey studies found professionals agree accommodations are beneficial. 85,[97][98][99][100][101][102][103]106 Outside the BACPAC studies, 6 other articles developed surveys to assess benefits of accommodations. 92,110,[113][114][115] Studies using accommodations for students when recovering found otherwise robust RTL management practices, including effective medical and school communication 113,114 ; adequate levels of parent, teacher, and student knowledge of concussion 114,115 ; and students recovering on expected timelines.…”

“…The awareness 79,94,97,98,107,110 and use of RTL policies 79,87,89,103,107,[110][111][112] was examined in 12 articles. Primarily, surveys asked whether schools had or followed an RTL policy.…”