Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Jul 5;19(13):8204.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19138204.

Outlining the Invisible: Experiences and Perspectives Regarding Concussion Recovery, Return-to-Work, and Resource Gaps

Shazya Karmali  1 , Marie Denise Beaton  1   2 , Shelina Babul  1   3
Affiliations

Outlining the Invisible: Experiences and Perspectives Regarding Concussion Recovery, Return-to-Work, and Resource Gaps

Shazya Karmali et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Appropriate supports and accommodations are necessary to ensure full concussion recovery and return-to-work (RTW). This research investigated barriers and facilitators to concussion recovery and RTW, and resource gaps reported by adults with concussion ('workers') and workplace and healthcare professionals ('workplaces'). Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with workers (n = 31) and workplaces (n = 16) across British Columbia. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Facilitators to workers' concussion recovery and RTW included treatment, social support, and workplace and lifestyle modifications. To address barriers, both groups recommended: (a) widespread concussion and RTW education and training (b) standardized concussion recovery guidelines; (c) changing attitudes toward concussion; (d) mental health supports; and (e) increasing awareness that every concussion is unique. Findings can inform best practice for concussion recovery and RTW among professionals in workplaces, healthcare, occupational health and safety, and workers' compensation boards.

Keywords: adult; concussion management; concussion recovery; mild traumatic brain injury; occupational health; workers; workplace.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

    1. B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit The Burden of Concussion in British Columbia. [(accessed on 10 May 2022)]. Available online: https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/52387/items/1.0396146.
    1. Colantonio A., Comper P. Post-Injury Symptoms after Work Related Traumatic Brain Injury in Canadian Population. Work. 2012;43:195–201. doi: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1377. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Mercier L.J., Fung T.S., Harris A.D., Dukelow S.P., Debert C.T. Improving Symptom Burden in Adults with Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms: A Randomized Aerobic Exercise Trial Protocol. BMC Neurol. 2020;20:1–9. doi: 10.1186/s12883-020-1622-x. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Panwar J., Hsu C.C.-T., Tator C.H., Mikulis D. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Criteria for Post-Concussion Syndrome: A Study of 127 Post-Concussion Syndrome Patients. J. Neurotrauma. 2020;37:1190–1196. doi: 10.1089/neu.2019.6809. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Marshall S., Bayley M., McCullagh S., Velikonja D., Berrigan L., Ouchterlony D., Weegar K. Updated Clinical Practice Guidelines for Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Persistent Symptoms. Brain Inj. 2015;29:688–700. doi: 10.3109/02699052.2015.1004755. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types