A Retrospective Analysis of Transitioning a Concussion Support Group to a Virtual Platform

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To investigate the success of transitioning a support group for adults who have sustained a concussion from an in-person meeting to a virtual platform due to the impact of COVID-19. <h3>Design</h3> Retrospective analysis of virtual concussion support group meetings performed between July 2020 and March 2021, compared to in-person concussion support group meetings performed between January 2017 and March 2020. <h3>Setting</h3> Outpatient physical rehabilitation clinic. <h3>Participants</h3> Adults who sustained a concussion and attended at least one support group meeting, either in-person or virtually. <h3>Interventions</h3> Comparing attendance and participant feedback between in-person and virtual meetings. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Feedback surveys, Attendance count. <h3>Results</h3> Attendance count for virtual meetings was comparable to that of in-person meetings, however on average was higher for virtual meetings (average of 9 virtual participants per month vs. 6.85 for in-person). However, there was a significant decline in feedback survey participation for virtual meetings (42% participation vs. 88% participation in-person). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Virtual support group meetings can be an effective way to offer education and an outlet to individuals with a concussion during a world-wide pandemic. Individuals appear equally likely to attend virtual meetings versus in-person meetings, with virtual meeting attendance higher on average so far than over the last 3 years of in-person meetings. This may be due to the ease of access of a virtual meeting versus driving to a location. However, participants appear less likely to submit feedback surveys for virtual meetings compared to in-person meetings. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> The authors have nothing to disclose.