TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - Stakeholder perspectives on navigating the pediatric concussion experience: exploring the needs for improved communication across the care continuum
JO  - NeuroRehabilitation
A1  - Gomez, Douglas
A1  - Glang, Ann
A1  - Haarbauer-Krupa, Juliet
A1  - Bull, Rachel
A1  - Tucker, Paula
A1  - Ratcliffe, Jonathan
A1  - Hall, Alex
A1  - Gioia, Gerard A.
A1  - Jain, Shabnam
A1  - Sathian, Usha
A1  - Simon, Harold K.
A1  - Wright, David
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND: For children, the post-concussion return to school process is a critical step towards achieving positive health outcomes. The process requires integration between healthcare professionals, parents, and school personnel. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: This research team conducted focus groups with stakeholders including parents, education personnel, school nurses, external healthcare providers (nurses) and athletic trainers to identify communication patterns between healthcare providers outside of the school setting and school personnel. <br><br>METHODS: Data from focus groups were analyzed using a Thematic Analysis approach. Researchers used an inductive (bottom-up) coding process to describe semantic themes and utilized a critical realist epistemology. <br><br>RESULTS: We identified four key themes within focus group data: (1) lack of effective communication between hospital and outpatient healthcare providers to school personnel; (2) parents who were strong advocates had improved communication with healthcare professionals and garnered more accommodations for their children; (3) non-school professionals and families were often confused about who the point of contact was at a given school; and (4) differing experiences for athletes vs. non-athletes. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This study suggests gaps in communication between healthcare and school professionals when children return to school following a concussion. Improving communication between healthcare providers and school staff will require a multi-faceted approach.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1053-8135
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/NRE-220220
ID  - ref1
ER  -