Post Concussion Experiences of Collegiate Student Athletes
Sports related concussions are a major public health concern affecting a significant number of collegiate student athletes. Medical and public health research has addressed every aspect of concussion management processes including concussion education, medical diagnosis, recovery, and returning to sport and classroom. This research has led to several best practices for concussion management. Since 2010, the NCAA has mandated that its member institutions maintain concussion management policies and procedures. However, the current recommendations, based primarily on medical research, have been found in quantitative studies of the behaviors and practices of athletic trainers, coaches, and student athletes to be ineffective. To date, no studies have explored the perceptions and experiences of student athletes post concussion. The purpose of this study was to understand student athletes' experiences post concussion and how their experiences compared to concussion management policy. A qualitative research design was utilized to allow for an in depth understanding of the studentathlete's perspective on concussion management. Data were collected from interviews with seven current and former NCAA student athletes from five member institutions representing Division I football, lacrosse, men's soccer, women's soccer, Division II football, and Division III football; and from publicly obtained concussion management documents. The data were analyzed using Tesch's (2013) organizing system and Love's (2003) methods for document analysis. Eight major findings emerged from the data: 1) Symptomology and its effects, 2) Pressure to return, 3) Lack of Knowledge, 4) Inadequate support, 5) No rest, 6) No policy, 7) Double injury, and 8) Inconsistent