Some Concussion Education More Useful than Others, Parents Say

In a recent poll conducted by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, parents whose kids participate in athletics will be asked to sign a waiver about concussion education, but that’s not enough to ensure parents are confident about handling the injury. Of the 921 parents of middle and high school children that were surveyed, about half reported participation in some type of concussion education. Additionally, 23 percent have read a brochure or online information, 17% have watched a video or attended a presentation, 11 percent have signed a waiver form, with no other educational component and 49 percent report no concussion education at all. “It is good news that many parents report they have received concussion education. We found, however, that the format of that concussion education really matters. The way the concussion information is delivered is linked to the parent’s confidence about managing their child’s injury,” said the University of Michigan’s associate research scientist in the department of pediatrics. Parents play a key role in deciding when a child returns to school and extracurricular activities and concussion education can assist them in making good decisions. To read more about this, click here.