Assessment in the Office

After a player has sustained a head injury which is not required to be hospitalised, you may be asked to assess them in your medical practice.
Whilst a number of the assessment tools that are used on the sideline may have components which are useful for this purpose in clinical practice, the hallmark of management is always sound clinical judgement.
If the player has returned to school or work and is having ongoing difficulties then this can be an important symptom relating to their initial injury.

• SCAT assessments that are done on the field may be helpful in the office as a standardised protocol
• Symptom score checklists
• Neurological examination
• Concussion history
• Balance assessments
  • Most helpful first 3 days
• Vestibular system assessments
• School difficulties