New national clinical guidelines on the treatment of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury and a model of care specific to Australia and New Zealand are now available.

University of Queensland researchers have led the development of the guidelines along with an education program to help address an identified knowledge gap.  

About 50% of people who sustain concussion and mild traumatic brain injury do not receive the care required, according to UQ’s Child Health Research Centre paediatric neurologist Professor Karen Barlow. 

“There is currently a gap in knowledge among clinicians and patients, despite strong evidence-based recommendations for improving concussion outcomes. 
 
“General practitioners and healthcare practitioners are crucial in concussion care but often lack confidence in managing recovery.”

About 40% of GPs do not feel confident managing concussion when symptoms persist. 

The new guidelines address all aspects and complications of concussion from injury to recovery and will be implemented across Australian and New Zealand healthcare systems through an initiative called Mind the Gap. 
 
Over recent years there has been elevated public awareness of concussion and increased focus on the importance of diagnosing and managing the condition promptly, safely, and appropriately. 

There was currently inconsistent care in concussion treatment, particularly for children, rural communities and underserved populations, said Professor Barlow.  
 
“Australians are asking for more consistency in care. This new model of care will improve patient outcomes, particularly among vulnerable communities. Mind the Gap is a holistic model that will improve concussion care, utilising technology to improve concussion education for the patient and the clinician.’’ 
 
Each year, about 240,000 people in Australia and New Zealand require medical attention for concussions, at an estimated annual cost of $100 million. 
 
Concussion occurs in all age groups, with children and young adults having the highest incidence. It is most frequently caused by falls and motor vehicle accidents, as well as in contact sports, domestic violence and assaults. 
 
Patients and families will help design and test every aspect of the model, which will include a web-based best-practice care guide for clinicians and patients, and a tool to support shared decision-making. 
 
A perspective article about the new Australian and New Zealand concussion guidelines is published in Medical Journal of Australia.