Medical follow-up and referral to healthcare professionals/interdisciplinary concussion team
(1-4 weeks following acute injury)
- Focused clinical history, physical examination, determine need for imaging
- Screen for possible complicating factors that may impede recovery e.g. previous mental illness, family history of mental illness, migraine, current stress level, and any other modifiers that may delay recovery. Consider early referral to specialist or interdisciplinary team.
- Screen for mood, anxiety, and cognitive symptoms •Send immediately to the emergency department (ED) if active suicidal ideation
- Review pre-injury mental health status (including pre-injury symptoms or diagnoses of depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and behavior disturbances)
- Review previous school history (attendance, learning, behavior) using information from school records if possible \
- Post-injury education and guidance on symptom management (including advice regarding pacing of activities and general recovery expectations within the context of pre-existing circumstances)
- Refer to healthcare professionals/interdisciplinary concussion team if symptoms last longer than 4 weeks (or sooner as needed/using clinical judgment)
Consider early referral (< 4 weeks) if child/adolescent has modifiers that may delay recovery/high risk of prolonged post-concussion symptoms
Specialist or interdisciplinary concussion team
Persistent cognitive symptoms (including inattention, impaired executive function, academic decline)
Mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and difficulty coping (including adjustment disorder); no significant functional impairment
Persistent post concussion symptoms causing functional impairment and history of depression, anxiety, ADHD, or other psychiatric illness
Clinically significant mood or anxiety symptoms (including functional impairment and/or suicidal ideation); severe range on mood and anxiety screening tools
Neuropsychologist, Occupational Therapist, school/education psychological services
Psychotherapist (Including Social Worker, Registered Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Occupational Therapist)
Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Psychologist (Send immediately to ED If active suicidal ideation)
Acronyms: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)