Maerlender, Parent-Nichols, Lichtenstein

Cambridge Scholars Book in Focus highlights both Concussion Competencies  

 This book presents necessary information and data for people working with concussion recovery or experiencing a concussion, especially of a sports-related nature. 

While medical attention is often needed at the initial stage of treatment, the most important parts of ongoing treatment are behavioural, specifically managing and monitoring the patient and engaging them in “active rehabilitation” strategies. 

The book is designed to direct the reader to appropriate sections in a straightforward manner supported by evidence and research. The knowledge competencies detailed in it are broad enough to provide a solid education in concussions, and what to do about them, across various environments. 

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Table of Contents

Background………………………………………………………………………. 1

1. Introduction and Background
2. Development of Competencies
3. Why Focus on Schools?
4. School Programs as Acute and Post-Acute “Clinics”
5. Manual Layout

Section 1: Biologic Aspects of Concussion

Competency 1………………………………………………………………….. 15

Basic Neuroanatomy

1. What Is the Brain?
2. Brain Development
3. Brain Development  (Before  and  After  Injury):  The  Preschool Years

Competency 2………………………………………………………………….. 27

Biomechanics of Injury

1. Mechanisms of Injury
2. The Neurometabolic Cascade
3. Traumatic Brain Injury Grades and Severity
4. Temporary Loss of Consciousness (LOC) Related to Concussion
5. Post-Traumatic Amnesia
6. Red Flags of More Severe Injury
7. The Use of Neuroimaging in Assessing Concussions
8. Emerging Physiological Tests

Competency 3………………………………………………………………….. 37

Concussion Basics

1. Definition of Concussion
2. General Processes in the Course of Concussion
3. Expected Course of Recovery
4. Protracted Recovery

Section 2: Behavioral Aspects of Concussion

Competency 4………………………………………………………………….. 51

Risk Factors

1. Risk Factors for Concussion
2. Risk of Repeat Injury
3. Risk of Emotional Changes Following Concussion
4. Risk Factors for Protracted Recovery
5. Relative Risks

Competency 5………………………………………………………………….. 61

Prevention and Concussion

1. Primary Prevention
2. Secondary Prevention
3. Tertiary Prevention

  Competency 6………………………………………………………………….. 69

Evaluation & Assessment Practices

1. Screening, Testing, Assessment, Evaluation
2. Who Should Administer Tests for Screening & Assessment?
3. Baseline Testing
4. What and When of Assessment
5. Sideline Evaluation
6. Diagnostic Assessment
7. Post-Injury Testing
8. Evaluating Recovery
9. Post-Acute Assessment in Protracted Recovery

Competency 7………………………………………………………………….. 91

Best Practices for Testing

1. What Is a Test?
2. Why Test Standardization Matters
3. Relevance to Concussion Assessment
4. Basic Psychometric Properties of Tests
5. Interpreting Tests
6. Choosing Tests

Competency 8………………………………………………………………… 103

Post-Acute and Chronic Treatment Approaches

1. Education
2. Rest
3. Active Rehabilitation
4. Replacement Behaviors
5. Specific Therapies

Section 3: Programmatic Considerations

Competency 9………………………………………………………………… 115

Individual Recovery & the Role of School

1. The First 48 Hours
2. School Reentry (Transition)
3. Establishing and Developing the Relationship
4. Monitoring with Symptom Checklists
5. What the Classroom Teacher Needs to Be Aware Of
6. Determining Classroom Adjustments
7. Return to Learn: Common Principles
8. Academic and Cognitive Challenges
9. What Does Recovery Mean?
10. Return to Learn and Play Stages
11. Accumulating Concussions and Medical Retirement
12. Knowledge for Students and Parents

Competency 10………………………………………………………………. 137

Concussion Management Programming

1. Best Practices
2. Educate Staff & Community
3. Create a Concussion Management Team (CMT)
4. Have a Plan for Immediate Response
5. Change the Culture!
6. Legal Issues
7. State Laws

Co-author bios can be found here: https://neurosportnp.org/concussion-competencies-co-authors/

Available through Cambridge Scholars at: https://www.cambridgescholars.com/concussion-competencies