Mild traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Many people recover during the first few days after injury, but some people will experience significant symptoms beyond several months post-injury.
HealthPathways Clinical Editor Dr Grace Leung said concussion was an important presentation in general practice. It can result from playing contact sports, falls, or whiplash injuries in car accidents.
Dr Leung said the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury HealthPathway had been newly localised to the Mid and North Coast region. This has been done in consultation with the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services in Northern NSW and Mid North Coast NSW Local Health Districts.
‘The importance of the recognition, management and follow up of concussion has been recently highlighted in the media, particularly with reference to concussion in competitive sport,’ Dr Leung said.
‘Often there is a question mark over when a patient can return to playing sport after suffering a concussion. This is covered in the new pathway, which aims to aid GPs with the assessment and management of mild traumatic brain injuries.
‘There is also information about referral criteria and contact information for the mild traumatic brain injury clinics, located in Ballina, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.’
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