Extending concussion evaluations with telemedicine for certified athletic trainers

Advisor Information

Dhundy Bastola

Location

UNO Criss Library, Room 231

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Start Date

4-3-2016 1:45 PM

End Date

4-3-2016 2:00 PM

Abstract

Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) play a critical role in providing assessment and treatment for athletes with sports-related injuries that might otherwise result in a visit to the emergency room (ER). In a study of high school basketball events, the injury rate per 1000 population reporting to the ER was almost 8 times higher than when an ATC was present. ATCs provide a critical safety net due to limited knowledge and misconceptions of concussions and other injuries held by some coaches and athletes. Studies have shown that schools with ATCs have lower overall injury rates, and higher rates of concussion diagnoses due to increased reporting and accurate assessment. Currently, 30% of public secondary schools in the United States lack an ATC, which contributes to the statistic that 24% of all high school sporting events will occur with no medical coverage present. In schools that do have access to ATCs, 37% employ just a single ATC for all student athletes. This project aims to develop a prototype mobile telemedicine app for ATCs based upon the practice model established by Telestroke, which is able to provide real-time assessment and management of stroke patients. By using its framework and integrating existing tools like the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT3), ATCs would have the ability to remotely evaluate injured athletes for concussions. This would help ATCs to oversee athletes at multiple locations remotely. By providing this extended coverage, athletes can receive timely diagnosis, help reduce costs, and alleviate the strain on ER by non-urgent cases.

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Mar 4th, 1:45 PM Mar 4th, 2:00 PM

Extending concussion evaluations with telemedicine for certified athletic trainers

UNO Criss Library, Room 231

Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) play a critical role in providing assessment and treatment for athletes with sports-related injuries that might otherwise result in a visit to the emergency room (ER). In a study of high school basketball events, the injury rate per 1000 population reporting to the ER was almost 8 times higher than when an ATC was present. ATCs provide a critical safety net due to limited knowledge and misconceptions of concussions and other injuries held by some coaches and athletes. Studies have shown that schools with ATCs have lower overall injury rates, and higher rates of concussion diagnoses due to increased reporting and accurate assessment. Currently, 30% of public secondary schools in the United States lack an ATC, which contributes to the statistic that 24% of all high school sporting events will occur with no medical coverage present. In schools that do have access to ATCs, 37% employ just a single ATC for all student athletes. This project aims to develop a prototype mobile telemedicine app for ATCs based upon the practice model established by Telestroke, which is able to provide real-time assessment and management of stroke patients. By using its framework and integrating existing tools like the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT3), ATCs would have the ability to remotely evaluate injured athletes for concussions. This would help ATCs to oversee athletes at multiple locations remotely. By providing this extended coverage, athletes can receive timely diagnosis, help reduce costs, and alleviate the strain on ER by non-urgent cases.