Concussion management by primary care providers.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Primary Care Medicine
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Concussion management requires adherence to established clinical guidelines.
• Primary care providers play a crucial role in initial concussion assessment and management.
• Access to specialized diagnostic tools like neuropsychological testing can be critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current concussion management strategies employed by primary care providers.
• To identify barriers to optimal concussion care within primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• A survey questionnaire was distributed to primary care providers across Maine.
• Multiple mailings were conducted to maximize response rates.
• The survey assessed guideline utilization and access to neuropsychological testing.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of surveyed providers completed the questionnaire.
• Nearly 70% of primary care providers reported routinely using published concussion management guidelines.
• While most providers recognized the utility of neuropsychological tests, only 16% had timely access (within one week of injury).

Conclusions:

• Primary care providers demonstrate high adherence to published concussion management guidelines.
• Limited access to timely neuropsychological testing presents a significant challenge in concussion care for primary care providers.