Seventeenth International Conference on Technology, Knowledge, and Society

Abstract

Recent research has found substantial gaps in concussion assessment and management knowledge in various groups of Canadian health professionals, including: medical students, emergency medicine/family physicians, and physiotherapists. These findings demonstrate the amount of variability and lack of standardization in recognizing, treating, and managing concussions among medical professionals. Similarly, results from our recent pilot project also identified parallel gaps within Athletic Therapy students. Based on these findings, we created an interactive online educational tool that engages students in realistic concussion scenarios. Findings from recent research, including our own, were used to design and develop an interactive online concussion educational tool (AT-ICE). Scenarios were created to guide students through complete situational experiences, starting with on-field recognition and all the way to initial concussion management. We also embedded various technologies and learning activities to connect students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to effectively recognize, assess, and manage concussions. During the development phase, we worked with experts in the field (four Certified Athletic Therapists) to ensure that scenarios were contextually authentic and representative of the many challenges that can arise when assessing and managing concussions in real life. The main goal of this project was to develop an interactive pedagogical tool that enriches student learning about concussions. We also hope to help standardize the knowledge and skills required of health professionals to effectively recognize, assess, and manage concussions. Future research will continue to explore the effectiveness of this tool in various health professional contexts.