Updated resources and tools are now available
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a common form of traumatic brain injury that can affect how your brain works. Concussions may happen because of any blow to the head, face or neck or a blow to the body that jars the head. When such a hit takes place, the brain may twist or move back and forth inside the skull. If this sudden movement is hard enough, the brain can become injured and can cause a variety of signs and symptoms. Keep in mind that most concussions do not lead to a loss of consciousness since it occurs in less than 10% of cases. For more information and access to nationally recognized online courses, please consult the following resources developed by our injury prevention partners:
- Concussion: The Basics (Parachute)
- Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers (Parachute)
- Online Course for Parents/Caregivers (English only) (Concussion Awareness Training Tool – BCIRPU)
- Concussion Guide for Athletes (Parachute)
- Online Course for Players/Participants (English only) (Concussion Awareness Training Tool – BCIRPU)
- Concussion Ed App (Parachute)
- What you need to know about concussion (Concussion Awareness Training Tool – BCIRPU)
- Concussion 101 (English only) (YouTube video by Dr. Mike Evans)
Concussion Recognition
It is important to remember that a formal diagnosis of concussion can only be made following a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner. However, anyone should be able to identify a suspected concussion, if they are using the right tool. In order to help you with your efforts to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion both on and off the playing field, please consult the following resources:
- Tool to identify a suspected concussion | School Context | Other Contexts |
- Concussion Recognition Tool – 5th Edition (CRT5)
- Concussion Poster
- Concussion Bookmark
Resources for a Return to School
Following a concussion diagnosis, it is recommended to use a collaborative team approach among teachers and other school staff, health care professionals, parents/caregivers, coaches and students to provide support during the recovery process. This is especially important since students may require personalized accommodations in school, which may be gradually decreased as their functioning improves. To help with this collaborative effort, please consult the following resources:
- Return to School Strategy | Black/White | Color |
- Return to Sport/Physical Activity Strategy | Black/White | Color |
- Return to School Brochure
- Concussion Education Sheet
- Tool to identify a suspected concussion
- Documentation of Medical Examination
- Individualized Learning Accommodations
- Return to School Documentation Form
- Return to Sport/Physical Activity Documentation Form
- Decision-Making Pathway
- Online course for School Professionals (Concussion Awareness Training Tool – BCIRPU)
- Concussion management and return to learn (YouTube video by Dr. Mike Evans)
Resources for Coaches
As you know, coaches play an essential role in helping to encourage safe participation in physical activity. In addition to knowing how to identify suspected cases of concussion, we encourage you to consult the following resources to support you with this important effort:
- Concussion Guide for Coaches and Trainers (Parachute)
- Statement on Concussion Baseline Testing in Canada (Parachute)
- Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport (Parachute)
- Return to Sport/Physical Activity Strategy | For Students | For Everyone |
- Medical Clearance Letter
- Making Headway Concussion eLearning (Coaching Association of Canada)
- Online Course for Coaches (Concussion Awareness Training Tool – BCIRPU)
- Decision-Making Pathway (Concussion Awareness Training Tool – BCIRPU)
- Player Code of Conduct (Coaching Association of Canada)
Resources for a Return to Work / Daily Activities
Most people will fully recover following a concussion. However, it’s important to remember that concussion symptoms may get worse with excessive physical and mental exertion. This is why it is important to follow a healthcare provider’s advice for a progressive return to regular activities at school, work and at play. For more information, please consult the following resources:
- Return to Work Strategy
- Return to Daily Activity Strategy
- Return to Activity Brochure
- Return to Work Brochure
- Online course for workers and workplaces (Concussion Awareness Training Tool – BCIRPU)
Resources for Healthcare Professionals
With the support of a multidisciplinary team of experienced healthcare professionals from New Brunswick, the NB Trauma Program has compiled the most up to date evidence-based concussion information for the assessment and management of patients with a concussion. For more information and access to updated resources, please consult the following link.
If you require more information about these concussion resources, please contact the NB Trauma Program at NBTrauma@Horizonnb.ca. If you think you, your child, your student or athlete may have a concussion, please seek a consultation with a physician or a nurse practitioner as soon as possible.
This post is also available in: French