A-14 Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of High School Athlete's Concussion Reporting Behaviors

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate athletic trainers’ (AT) perspectives of high school athletes overreporting concussion symptoms and evaluate their willingness to incorporate a neuropsychologist or licensed mental health professional on the sports medicine team. Methods This study was completed via electronic survey sent to 1,000 ATs employed in secondary schools across the United States. A total of 64 participants (17 male, 45 female, 2 non-binary) completed the survey. Participants were selected based on age greater than 21 years old employment in a secondary school. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were obtained for each variable, including AT experience level, AT confidence in diagnosis of SRC, school division, concern of overreporting, and willingness to add a mental health professional or neuropsychologist to the sports medicine team. Results Results of this study revealed 75% (n=64) of the participants endorsed concerns with athletes overreporting concussion symptoms, while 96.9% expressed interest in adding a neuropsychologist or mental health professional to the consultation team. Furthermore, 67.2% believe athletes view concussion as a way to discontinue playing their sport. Additionally, study results yielded a negative correlation between ATs’ school division and the rate of concern for overreporting concussion symptoms, r(62)=-.21, p=.047. Conclusions Overall, results indicated a growing concern regarding the validity of self-report symptoms associated with SRCs in high school athletes. Our findings highlight the need for valid and reliable screening measures and neuropsychological consultation. Future research is also needed to identify factors associated with concussion overreporting.