Course Information

Getting Clear About Concussion Care

Getting Clear About Concussion Care
Concussion – also known as mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) - is defined as ‘A complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces.’ Typically, concussion results in rapid-onset neurophysiologic and neurologic dysfunction that resolves in a spontaneous manner over a relatively short period. 

Concussion is a serious public health issue. By the time children reach 10 years of age, 16% will have had at least 1 head injury requiring medical attention and a significant proportion have ongoing symptoms that can last a long time. In a 2003 report to the US Congress, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control referred to mild TBI as a ‘‘serious public health problem’’ and a ‘‘silent epidemic.’’ This course examines the primary care of concussion patients including recognition of concussion, management of persistent symptoms, and the return to work and play. 

After completing this course, you will be able to: 
  1. Describe how to administer a standardized concussion assessment tool that facilitates recognition of the degree of concussion related cognitive and physical impairment; 
  2. Discuss how to diagnose a concussion and describe the constellation of signs and symptoms and the particular “red flags” that suggest the need for more urgent diagnostic imaging and specialist consultation; 
  3. Describe a plan for early management of the symptoms of concussion that includes the relevant patient education and counselling; 
  4. Using the available concussion guidelines, describe a plan for management of the more troubling persistent symptoms i.e. Headaches, dizziness, depression, and changes in sleep; and 
  5. List the essential elements in a safe return to play or school plan and potential complications of too early a return to sports.

This project was jointly funded by unrestricted educational grants from the Canadian Medical Association and the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation.

Course Registration

Getting Clear About Concussion Care

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Credits

    (up to) 1.5 credit hours

Expiry Date

This course expires on
Monday, April 6, 2015

    Mainpro-M1
    This program meets the accreditation criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been accredited by Memorial University of Newfoundland for up to 1.5 Mainpro-M1 credits.

    Maintenance of Certification (Section 1)
    This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Memorial University of Newfoundland. Up to 1.5 Section 1 credit hours can be claimed.


  • Ian Gillespie, MD, FRCP, DABPN 
  • Ivan Rohan MD, CCFP 
  • Ean Parsons MD, CCFP, FCFP 
  • Catherine Seviour MD, FRCPC

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