Abstract
Background: Concussion is a global public health problem. In Canada, concussion is among the top five reasons for workplace time-loss. Concussion results in physical, cognitive, and/or emotional symptoms that temporarily worsen with physical and mental exertion, such as viewing electronic screens. The Internet is the primary source of consumer health information. Studies on the end-user needs of adults with brain injuries in regards to digital health technologies largely focus on informational content. There is little to no research on the accessibility of screen-based informational websites and smartphone applications among this population.Objective: The aim of this research was to involve stakeholders in the design of a comprehensive educational resource to guide concussion recognition, recovery, and return-to-work, called the Concussion Awareness Training Tool for Workers and Workplaces (CATT WW). In order to ensure both relevant content and appropriate delivery of the information to the target groups, participants were asked whether adaptations could increase the accessibility of online health information for the general adult population experiencing concussion symptoms.Methods: Data have been generated through semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups with participants from across British Columbia (BC): workers from various industries who were in the concussion recovery process or had returned to work (n = 31); and healthcare or workplace professionals who support concussion diagnosis, recovery, and return-to-work (n = 16). Data were analyzed using NVivo 12. Before commencing data collection, ethical permission was granted by the University of British Columbia Research Ethics Board (H18-00604), and approval was received from WorkSafeBC Research Services.Results: Participants (n = 47) recommended twenty adaptations or supplements to electronic screen-based digital health technologies.Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of concussion among the working adult population, the symptom exacerbation commonly caused by prolonged use of electronic screens, and the demand for online educational resources, these findings can guide clinicians, researchers, technology developers, employers, and occupational health and safety committees to further support adults in concussion recovery and return-to-work.
Highlights
Concussion, a term often used interchangeably with mild traumatic brain injury, represents 70–90% of all traumatic brain injuries and reportedly affects 100–600 people per 100,000 annually, depending on the definition criteria used [1, 2]
Any individual is susceptible to a concussion; the majority of research focuses on sport-related concussions, children and youth, and military populations, resulting in a dearth of resources to guide concussion recovery and return-towork for the average adult [13, 14]
Among other aspects of the broader Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) W&W study on facilitators and barriers for recovery and return-to-work, the present study aims to identify adaptations and supplements to increase accessibility of online health information for the general adult population experiencing concussion symptoms
Summary
Concussion is a global public health problem. In Canada, concussion is among the top five reasons for workplace time-loss. There is little to no research on the accessibility of screen-based informational websites and smartphone applications among this population
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