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Number of prior concussions predict poorer concussion care seeking in military cadets
Julianne D Schmidt1, Melissa Anderson1, Michelle Weber Rawlins2
1UGAConcussion Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens, USA.
Primary Objective:
To determine whether concussion history predicts concussion care seeking, self-management practices, or confidence to recognize/report.
Research Design:
Cross-sectional.
Methods & Procedures:
706 United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) cadets completed survey items regarding concussion history (0,1,2,3+), likelihood of reporting a concussion, self-management, and confidence to recognize/report. We used multivariate ordinal and binary logistic regression models to predict responses using concussion history, sex, and race.Main outcomes & results: cadets with 1 (OR = 0.59, 95%CI:0.43-0.82), 2 (OR = 0.55, 95%CI:0.31-0.98), or 3+ (OR = 0.36, 95%CI:0.17-0.78) concussions while at USAFA had respective 41%, 45%, and 64% lower likelihood to report the concussion scenario (ref = no history, p < .001). USAFA cadets with more extensive concussion histories had higher prevalence of not seeking care for a concussion (p < .001); more strongly endorsed self-management (p = .001-0.010); and had greater confidence in their ability to recognize a concussion (p = .005), but not to report (p = .198-0.413).
Conclusions:
Prior concussion experiences may deter cadets from seeking medical care for future concussions. Interventions should address concussion history and clinicians should consider how the post-concussion management process might deter care seeking.
