title: Establishing a clinical service for the management of sports-related concussions.
abstract: The clinical management of sports-related concussions is a specialized area of interest with a lack of empirical findings regarding best practice approaches. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program was the first of its kind; 13 years after its inception, it remains a leader in the clinical management and research of sports-related concussions. This article outlines the essential components of a successful clinical service for the management of sports-related concussions, using the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program as a case example. Drawing on both empirical evidence and anecdotal conclusions from this high-volume clinical practice, this article provides a detailed account of the inner workings of a multidisciplinary concussion clinic with a comprehensive approach to the management of sports-related concussions. A detailed description of the evaluation process and an in-depth analysis of targeted clinical pathways and subtypes of sports-related concussions effectively set the stage for a comprehensive understanding of the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation model used in Pittsburgh today.
authors.affiliation: *Sports Medicine Concussion Program and §Centers for Rehab Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and ‡University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mucha
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Troutman-Ensecki
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*