Physiotherapist involvement in concussion services in New Zealand: A national survey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe physiotherapist involvement in concussion services in New Zealand. This would enable a comparison with international recommendations for concussion care, and evaluation of physiotherapy concussion care in New Zealand to help determine what is successful and what could be improved. The study involved a national online survey of physiotherapists distributed via Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ) branches and special interest groups. The responses of 175 participants were analysed, representing approximately 5% of PNZ members. Respondents were commonly involved in the recognition (107; 61%), assessment (133; 76%), and management (154; 88%) of concussion in a wide range of primary care concussion services in various settings/contexts and under different funding schemes. Respondents reported frequently assessing and managing disorders in the physiological brain, vestibulo-ocular, and cervicogenic sub-systems. Overall, physiotherapists currently provide a wide range of primary care services for people with concussion that aligns with international recommendations, especially in active rehabilitation and screening for concurrent injuries. Key challenges highlighted by this research include people presenting late to physiotherapy, continuity of care, and the frequency of persistent or recurrent symptoms.