Online youth concussion resources for Canadian teachers and school staff: A systematic search strategy

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Teachers and school staff (i.e., principals, coaches, trainers, educational assistants, guidance counselors, school healthcare professionals, etc.) are well positioned to support students’ return-to-school post-concussion. Teachers and school staff may access concussion resources online as they are readily available; however, their quality and accuracy are unknown.

Objective

To identify accurate online concussion resources suitable for Canadian teachers and school staff.

Methods

A five-phased systematic search strategy was conducted: 1) initial identification of resources; 2) consultation of pediatric concussion experts; 3) inclusion and exclusion criteria; 4) content review; and, 5) material evaluation.

Results

A total of 837 resources were identified initially and 40 resources were included in the final list. Across all resources, 310 (37%) resources were excluded as they were not designed primarily for teachers and school staff. Thirty-four (43%) of 80 resources reviewed for content accuracy were excluded. Among resources reviewed for readability, usability and suitability, six (13%) were excluded.

Conclusions

The 40 resources identified in this study can enable teachers and school staff to educate themselves about concussion and how to optimally support a student’s return-to-school post-concussion.

KEYWORDS:

• Concussion
• school
• teacher
• school staff
• internet
• online
• resource

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the efforts of the CIHR Youth Concussion Awareness Network (You-CAN) Team and the members of the OAK Concussion Lab, specifically Dr Kylie Mallory, Brynna Kerr and Katherine Wilson.

Disclosure statement

Nick Reed (NR) is a holder of a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Pediatric Concussion and reports receiving grants and research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Parachute Canada, Special Olympics Canada, Greater Toronto Hockey League, Dr. Tom Pashby Sport Safety Fund, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Scotiabank. NR is an investigator in a multicenter study funded by the National Football League (NFL) Scientific Advisory Board; he does not receive any research funding or financial benefit. NR is a minority shareholder in 360 Concussion Care, an interdisciplinary concussion clinic. All other authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.

Ethics statement

Since this study was non-interventional in nature and included no human or animal participants, ethics approval was not required by the institution.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research under Grant 153025. In addition, this research was undertaken, in part, thanks to funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program.