Concussion clinic referral demographics and recommendations: a retrospective analysis

To review the demographic factors, mechanism of injury and treatment recommendations for patients attending a concussion clinic in New Zealand.

Retrospective analysis of data for all patients attending a concussion clinic in a single centre over a 2-year period. Data was collected via an electronic database and written clinical records.

Data from a total of 161 patients was collected; 8 patients did not attend clinic appointments, yet their mechanism of injury was available from referral notes. 42 (26%) patients were diagnosed as not having a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Of the remainder, 72 (47%) had a mild TBI and 36 (22%) had moderate or severe TBI; 21% of attendees were injured in sporting accidents with 19% injured in motor vehicle accidents and 17% in falls. More treatment recommendations were made in those patients diagnosed with TBI than those with no TBI (p=0.038). Occupational therapy was the most commonly recommended treatment.

Considering the high number of injuries with mild TBI that occur every year, there was a relatively small number seen in the Wellington area concussion clinic. Only half of clinic attendees had had a mild TBI. Treatment recommendations were similar throughout patient diagnostic groups; occupational therapy input was probably offered because it was resourced by the clinic funder. Further research is required into return to work, emotional and cognitive outcomes.