Self Reported Knowledge of Concussion Symptoms and Management by Middle and High School Club Lacrosse Coaches

TITLE: Self-reported knowledge of concussion symptoms and management by middle and high school club lacrosse coaches AUTHORS: Logan Ellis BACKGROUND: With an increase in sport participation across all levels, concussion prevalence has increased as well as reliance on coaches to recognize a concussed player. Little research has been done investigating how effective our current educational materials are with Lacrosse coaches of grades 6-12. STUDY DESIGN: Cross- Sectional LEVEL of EVIDENCE: Level 4 METHODS: Self-administered, online survey that included closed ended questions regarding recognition of signs and symptoms, consequences of inappropriate care, perception of own knowledge, and willingness to act. RESULTS: Among participants, an average composite score of 13/21 (62%) among all coach’s surveyed indicates a low level of functional knowledge with regard to concussion symptoms and consequences. Cronbach’s a analysis for symptom and consequence recognition yielded a= 0.734 and a= 0.631, respectively. Almost all participants have received either formal education (94%, n=63) or informal education (96%, n=64) with 82% (n=55) of those taking the initiative to talk with and educate their athletes about symptoms and the dangers of playing with a concussion. Linear regression for coach education source was calculated for formal education (r=0.10) and informal education (r=0.14) indicating that the form of education did not have a significant effect on the participant’s ability to recognize signs and symptoms. A linear regression was calculated for years of coaching experience (r=0.04) and did not have a significant effect of composite score. CONCLUSION: Sport related concussion (SRC) is a serious health issue, and due to inadequate medical coverage and educational models for coaches, the lacrosse community is not able to provide effective or appropriate care for their athlete’s with regard to SRC. Further research and development in the area of educational materials specific to lacrosse is a necessary step to providing the best education for lacrosse coaches and care for the health of lacrosse athletes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Better educational materials on concussion for lacrosse coaches may narrow the gap between the current state of concussion knowledge and best practice and the functional knowledge that lacrosse coaches possess in those same domains. This will provide a safer environment for lacrosse players in the absence of event coverage by a trained medical professional. KEYWORDS: Education, player safety, developmen

Perspectives of Individuals with Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders and Co-Survivors on Person-Centered Care within Speech-Language Therapy

Main Argument: Acquired brain injury impacts 2.8 million individuals each year in the United States (Taylor et al., 2017). Stroke, traumatic brain injury, tumor, infection, and other conditions cause life-altering changes to the way humans interact with each other. Social interaction and communication are important in many aspects of life, including but not limited to work, community, relationships, and mental health, etc. Damage to the brain often changes the ability to communicate drastically, which can impact all of the aforementioned aspects of life (Ardila & Rubilo, 2018). Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) address the acquired neurogenic communication disorders associated with brain injury in order to enhance life participation. However, previous research indicated a difference between goals identified by clients versus SLPs (Foster et al., 2013). Individuals with acquired neurogenic communication disorders prefer therapeutic goals related to activity and participation; however, goals addressed by SLPs are often impairment-based. This discrepancy impacts implementation of person-centered care (PCC). Person-centered care involves incorporating the client and his/her family/co-survivors into treatment using individualized techniques. Previous literature found that PCC enhances treatment outcomes, specifically life participation (DiLollo & Favreau, 2010; Hersh et al., 2012). Current research investigated SLPs’ perspectives of therapy as well as SLPs’ and clients’ perspectives on therapeutic goal-setting (Foster et al., 2013; DiLollo & Favreau, 2010; Brown et al., 2011; LPAA Project Group, 2001). However, limited literature is available investigating clients’ and co-survivors\u27 perspectives of the therapeutic process. Since PCC involves all those involved in an individual\u27s life, SLPs must understand perspectives of co-survivors and clients with acquired neurogenic communication disorders. This information will enhance current practices of SLPs by meeting the needs of clients and co-survivors through PCC. Procedures: The purpose of this study was to describe the perspectives of co-survivors and clients on PCC within speech-language therapy (SLT). The researcher aimed to answer one grand tour question with this study. How do adults with acquired neurogenic communication disorders and their co-survivors perceive the implementation of person-centered care in speech-language therapy? To answer this question, three focus group interviews, two with PWA and one with co-survivors, were conducted. Data was analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding processes, which resulted in categories that create a storyline. Findings: The purpose of this study was to utilize qualitative measures to determine the perspectives of clients and co-survivors on PCC during SLT. Findings revealed that client and co-survivor participants perceived components of PCC as being provided by SLPs during SLT services. The following components of PCC that these participants provided included treating the person as a whole, client and co-survivor involvement in therapy, life participation, and positive relationships between clients and SLPs. The application of these findings can further support individuals with acquired neurogenic communication disorders by demonstrating the impact of incorporating PCC into SLT. Consequently, positive relationships are built between all parties, the individual is treated as a whole person instead of a diagnosis, SLPs provide support to clients and co-survivors, and life participation is priority

Wellbeing among U.S. Veterans: Results from the 2010 National Survey of Veterans

Our research focuses on self-rated general health and access to healthcare among veterans. We used data collected by the 2010 National Survey of Veterans, a nationally representative survey of veterans in the U.S. The purpose is to identify and assess aspects of military experiences which could be responsible for differences in veterans’ health and their access to healthcare. Specifically, we investigate how exposure to combat, as well as exposure to specific traumas, can have a lasting impact on the health of veterans. We utilized two nested regression models around our focal variables; a logistic regression model was used to assess the access to mental healthcare, while an ordinal regression model was used to assess self-rated general health. We were also able to infer that a structural change in policies for veterans’ healthcare might have provided significant benefits among the population. Findings show unique effects on health patterns for combat and trauma in the field. Paradoxically, we also observe that many of the socio-economic indicators operated quite differently than they do for the general population in the United States in terms of their links to health differences

Lemons to Lemonade: Educational Modifications During the COVID-19 Pandemic and their Utility Moving Forward

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated changes across social institutions, including education. This case study outlines specific innovations using five cases of pedagogical developments made by social science faculty members at a public university, and their utility for undergraduate students in a post-pandemic world. These innovations relate specifically to office hour scheduling, class assignment reminders, building informal class support groups, experiential learning, and virtual paper submission and evaluation. For each case, we outline the implementation procedure, evaluate its effectiveness, and discuss the benefits. We argue that these methods, forged during “challenging times”, will help improve students’ experiences and success during their time in college, and benefit instructors in higher education in a variety of ways

Identifying Middle School Students at Risk for Dropping out of High School

This study examined eighth grade predictor variables for predictive power in identifying students at-risk for dropping out of high school in a northwest Georgia school district. This study involved 340 participants from the 2005/2006 ninth grade class in the selected school district. This quantitative study employed correlation analyses to determine the linear relationship between dropping out of high school and the predictor variables. Logistic regression analysis determined which set of predictor variables best predicted the student outcome. The analysis indicated that years retained, discipline referrals, socioeconomic status, final math grade, CRCT math score, and absences were the most significant predictors of high school end status (dropout or graduate). A regression model using the six variables was able to correctly classify 91.5% of the cases

Spiritual support during COVID-19 in England: a scoping study of online sources

Spiritual support is a key element of holistic care, and better healthcare professionals training and stronger strategic guidelines become urgent in light of health disasters and emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, the aim of this study was to explore spiritual support provision within mass and social media and the websites of spiritual leaders, institutions and NHS chaplaincy units during COVID-19 in England, between March and May 2020. A scoping review design informed by Levac and colleagues’ five-staged framework was adopted, and adapted with a multi-strategy search to scope the different domains of online sources. Results revealed that spiritual support for dying patients, their families, health care staff, spiritual leaders and chaplains, had to be drastically reduced, both in quality and quantity, as well as being provided via different technological devices or domestic symbolic actions. No mention was found of a central strategy for the provision of spiritual support. This study points to the importance of developing centralized strategies to prepare healthcare systems and professionals in relation to spiritual support provision, both routinely and during health disasters and emergencies. Further research will have to explore innovative practices, in particular the role of digital technologies, in spiritual support provision

DNA barcoding unveils skate (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) species diversity in ‘ray’ products sold across Ireland and the UK

Skates are widely consumed across the globe, but many large species are subject to considerable concern regarding their conservation and management. Within Europe such issues have recently driven policy changes so that, for the first time, reports of skate landings now have to be made under species-specific names. Total allowable catches have also been established for many groups, which have been set to zero for a number of the most vulnerable species (e.g., Dipturus batis, Raja undulata and Rostoraja alba. Whilst accurate species identification has become an important issue for landings, the sale of skates is still usually made under a blanket term of “skate” or “ray”. The matter of identifying species of skate is further complicated by their morphologically conservative nature and the fact that they are commercially valued for their wings. Thus, before sale their bodies are usually discarded (i.e., “winged”) and often skinned, making morphological identification impossible. For the first time, DNA barcoding (of the mitochondrial COI gene) was applied to samples of skate wings from retail outlets across the British Isles, providing insight into which species are sold for consumption. A total of 98 wing samples were analysed, revealing that six species were sold; blonde ray (Raja brachyura), spotted ray (Raja montagui), thornback ray (Raja clavata), cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) small-eyed ray (Raja microocellata) and shagreen ray (Leucoraja fullonica). Statistical testing demonstrated that there were significant differences in the species sold in the distinct retail groups which suggests complex drivers behind the patterns of sale in skates. The results also indicate that endangered species are not commonly being passed on to consumers. In addition, the practice of selling skate wings under ambiguous labels is highlighted as it makes it extremely difficult for consumers to exercise a right to avoid species of conservation concern. Interestingly, a single retailer chain labelled their wings as originating from three smaller-growing species (generally to be considered of lower conservation concern); of the six samples analysed from this company a third were mislabelled and originated from the thornback ray (a larger species that is currently undergoing population declines)

Growth Perspectives in Tree Campus Higher Education and Tree City USA

With an aggressive goal of 25% growth in both the Tree City USA and Tree Campus Higher Education programs, the Arbor Day Foundation (“ADF”, “Arbor Day”) needs a correspondingly bold plan to follow. Our group’s set of recommendations keep in step with ADF’s goals of inspiring people to Plant, Nurture, and Celebrate trees. Adopting ADF’s guiding principles informed and refined our recommendations. Our suggestions to ADF are to expand and refine marketing objectives, make use of communication platforms, streamline the survey and application procedure, and restructure the Tree City participation incentive programs. The subsections of this report provide greater detail for each key recommendation

Large mass splittings between charged and neutral Higgs bosons in the MSSM

We show that large ($> 100$ GeV) mass splittings between the charged Higgs boson ($H^\pm$) and the neutral Higgs bosons ($H^0$ and $A^0$) are possible in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). Such splittings occur when the $\mu$ parameter is considerably larger than the common SUSY scale, $M_{SUSY}$, and have significant consequences for MSSM Higgs searches at future colliders.Comment: 11 pages, LaTex, 5 figures, version to appear in Phys. Lett.