Description

Context: Concussions are difficult injuries many athletic trainers (AT) encounter due to the limited outward signs of impairment, becoming a greater challenge when medical disqualification decisions resulting from a concussion must be determined. There are various factors that can influence and impact the AT’s final decision regarding an athlete’s medical disqualification. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the medical disqualification process following a concussion from the athletic trainer perspective. Methods: Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with ATs who previously completed an online survey and voluntarily provided their contact information. Themes and subthemes were identified using a five-cycle process including a topic review, performing a literature review, collecting, and summarizing the data with a codebook developed by a three- person research team, connecting findings to current research, and making final interpretations. After this process, we discovered six themes. This abstract focuses on three subthemes with the AT’s role. Results: The role of the AT consists of three distinct features including 1) education, 2) communication, and 3) the weight of the decision. Participants noted their ability to deliver concussion education to an individual is conducted through the discussion of various topics ranging from health concerns, health management, recovery time, and disclosure. ATs were often at the center of communication regarding medical disqualification following concussion surrounded by various individuals in the multidisciplinary team including coaches, parents, family members, and physicians. Lastly, participants also described how the medical disqualification decision weighed on them as health care providers and the impact of that decision. Conclusions: Our findings reveal the importance of the ATs’ role in the medical disqualification process following concussion. ATs are well educated and positioned to provide information ensuring shared decision-making based regarding disqualification. Importantly, the medical disqualification process following concussion also takes a toll on the AT as these decisions are complex and may significantly impact the athlete’s future. Further research should be conducted into ATs’ specific clinical and educational experience, and how these plays a role in medical disqualification.