Sport-related concussion is a "hot topic" in the media and in medicine. It is a common injury that is likely under-reported by pediatric and adolescent athletes. This Café Scientifique will provide a clearer understanding of the definition, signs and symptoms of concussion as well as concussion prevention and management in an effort to help both parents and athletes prevent, recognize and treat concussion properly. Because concussion can cause symptoms that interfere with school, social and family relationships, and participation in sports, public awareness at all levels is essential.
Education and recognition remain the most important components of improving the care of student athletes with concussions. An alarmingly large number of studies have shown that knowledge of concussion recognition and management by players, coaches and clinicians is poor. Education about sport-related concussion is integral in helping to improve awareness, recognition and management
This café will bring together a panel of 4 experts from different backgrounds, each giving a 10 – 15 min presentation on strategies for concussion prevention, management, treatment and the signs and symptoms of concussion as well as the effects on the brain. Following this will be approximately 1 hour for smaller, break-out sessions individually lead by each of the speakers allowing for more intimate interaction.
This event is meant to encourage attendance from all age groups (particularly adolescent athletes and their parents), and will take place at Carleton University in the River Building, Second Floor Atrium).
Space will be limited to 125 participants. Registration will be required. To register for this event, email the event organizers register [dot] cihr [dot] concussion [dot] cafe [at] gmail [dot] com (here) and include the number of participants you would like to register. Additional details will be included in the automated email response or details can be found at the Society for Neuroscience (Ottawa Chapter) website.
Speakers
Dr. Michael Vassilyadi has joint appointments at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). He operates on infants and children with disorders of the brain and spine, including trauma. Dr. Vassilyadi is also an advocate for head and spine injury prevention serving as the director of the Ottawa chapter of ThinkFirst Foundation of Canada.
Dr. Peter Anderson is a paediatric Neuropsychologist and a member of the Behavioural Neurosciences and Consultation Liaison Team at CHEO. His clinical interests center on neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents with known or suspected central nervous system dysfunction. His research interests include behavioural and neuropsychological correlates of a variety of disorders of the central nervous system dysfunction in children and adolescents, assessing the efficacy of neuropsychological assessments and recommendations completed in a clinical context.
Dr. Anne-Lise Holahan is a Psychologist/Neuropsychologist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Her clinical interests are primarily focused on the neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents with known/suspected central nervous system dysfunction, including children and adolescents who have sustained a concussion. She liaises closely with parents and with school personnel to facilitate the implementation of recommendations stemming from her assessment. Her research interests lie within the domain of behavioural, emotional and neuropsychological correlates of various paediatric disorders, coping with chronic medical conditions and evidence-based treatments for paediatric mental health issues.
Dr. Kristian Goulet is the Medical Director for the Eastern Ontario Concussion Clinic and the Pediatric Sports Medicine Clinic of Ottawa. He has trained under some of the great leaders in the concussion field at Harvard University and at the Concussion Clinic at the Children's Hospital Boston. Dr Goulet is also the Clinical Supervisor for the Concussion Education Program for the Sports Legacy Institute at Boston University and has given hundreds of concussion talks at the Provincial, National and International Levels, He is affiliated with numerous local, Provincial and National organizations to help raise concussion awareness and optimize treatment. His research interests in concussion lie in preventative and education strategies.
View the video about this event.