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Updated: May 3, 2026
Objectively Assessing Sports Concussion Utilizing Visual Evoked Potentials
Published on: April 27, 2021
Evaluating the quality of online information about concussions
Gina M Berg1, Ashley M Hervey, Dusty Atterbury
1Gina M. Berg is director of trauma research at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan.; Ashley M. Hervey is a research associate at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita; Dusty Atterbury and Ryan Cook are PA students at Wichita State University. Mark Mosley is medical director of emergency services at Wesley Medical Center. Raymond Grundmeyer practices at Abay Neuroscience Center in Wichita. David Acuna is a trauma surgeon and critical care intensivist at Wesley Medical Center and associate medical director of trauma services for the medical center. The authors have indicated no relationships to disclose relating to the content of this article.
Online concussion information is inconsistent. While most websites cover symptoms and treatment, advice on medication and return to play varies, requiring healthcare provider guidance for patients.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- The internet is a primary source of health information for many individuals.
- Concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) information accessibility and accuracy online is crucial for patient care and recovery.
- Variable quality of online health information can impact patient understanding and adherence to medical advice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the quality and consistency of online information regarding concussion definition, symptoms, treatment, and return-to-play guidelines.
- To assess the reliability of internet resources for concussion management advice.
Main Methods:
- A Google search for "concussion" identified the top 10 websites.
- Two researchers and three medical professionals independently reviewed websites for specific concussion-related content.
- Medical professionals rated their willingness to recommend each website to patients.
Main Results:
- All evaluated websites provided general information on concussion signs, symptoms, and home treatment.
- Medication recommendations (specifically ibuprofen) were inconsistent across websites.
- Most websites offered guidance on seeking medical care and emphasized professional clearance before returning to play.
Conclusions:
- While most websites covered essential concussion information, significant inconsistencies were found.
- Healthcare providers must be aware of the variable quality of online concussion resources.
- Guiding patients toward reliable online information is essential for optimal concussion management and recovery.
