Concussion management by primary care providers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess current concussion management practices of primary care providers.


METHODS
An 11 item questionnaire was mailed to primary care providers in the state of Maine, with serial mailings to non-respondents.


RESULTS
Over 50% of the questionnaires were completed, with nearly 70% of primary care providers indicating that they routinely use published guidelines as a tool in managing patients with concussion. Nearly two thirds of providers were aware that neuropsychological tests could be used, but only 16% had access to such tests within a week of injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary care providers are using published concussion management guidelines with high frequency, but many are unable to access neuropsychological testing when it is required.
Pleacher
M D
MD
Maine Medical Center, Sports Medicine, Portland, ME 04102, USA. pleacherm@hotmail.com
Dexter
W W
WW
D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008281:Maine; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012008:Recurrence