COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this course include a review of the current knowledge with regard to concussion, an understanding of the role and tools available to the doctor on the sideline and the office, as well as the application of neurocognitive assessment, specialist imaging techniques and the current consensus on appropriate return to play protocols following a concussion.

Concussion is a common injury in many sports and recreational activities. Sports like Australian football, rugby league and rugby union have amongst the highest rates of head injury of any team sports in the world with reported incidence of concussion ranging from about 3–10 concussive injuries per 1000 player hours or about five concussion injuries per team per season, regardless of the level of competition. In sports with similar playing rules, the reported incidence of concussion is higher among females than males. There is no routine monitoring or reporting of sport-related concussion in Australia and the incidence of sport-related concussion in Australia, especially at the population level, is unknown.