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Strategies to Address Unmet Needs and Facilitate Return to Learn Guideline Adoption Following Concussion
Author(s) -
Lyons Vivian H.,
Moore Megan,
Guiney Roxanne,
Ayyagari Rajiv C.,
Thompson Leah,
Rivara Frederick P.,
Fleming Robin,
Crawley Deborah,
Harper Dawn,
Vavilala Monica S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/josh.12510
Subject(s) - concussion , guideline , psychology , medical education , medicine , applied psychology , injury prevention , poison control , medical emergency , pathology
BACKGROUND Many students do not receive return to learn (RTL) services upon return to academics following a concussion. METHODS Using a mixed‐methods approach, we conducted a survey of RTL practices and experiences in Washington State schools between January 2015 and June 2015. We then held a statewide summit of RTL stakeholders and used a modified Delphi process to develop a consensus‐based RTL implementation model and process. RESULTS Survey participants included 83 educators, 57 school nurses, 14 administrators, and 30 parents, representing 144 schools in rural and urban areas. Unmet need domains and recommendations identified were (1) a current lack of school policies; (2) barriers to providing or receiving accommodations; (3) wide variability in communication patterns; and (4) recommendations shared by all stakeholder groups (including desire for readily available best practices, development of a formal school RTL policy for easy adoption and more training). Using stakeholder input from RTL summit participants and survey responses, we developed an RTL implementation model and checklist for RTL guideline adoption. CONCLUSIONS Washington State children have unmet needs upon returning to public schools after concussion. The student‐centered RTL model and checklist for implementing RTL guidelines can help schools provide timely RTL services following concussion.