Doubt on the Sidelines: Can We Address Youth Coaches’ Perceived Needs Through Training in a Sideline Protocol for Lay People? (842418)

Concussion in youth sport is an established public health concern (Kerrigan & Giza, 2017).  The most important step in concussion management is removing the athlete from play and the risk of repeat and potentially more serious brain injury. Unfortunately, few youth leagues have trained medical personnel on the sideline to recognize or diagnose concussion (NATA, 2019). This symposium combines qualitative interview data from youth coaches and quantitative data collected on the sidelines of youth sports using the “Concussion Check” protocol to illustrate coach perceived needs and one possible solution to enhance decision-making about concussion on the sidelines of youth sports in the absence of qualified health professionals. These two studies combined indicate a need for sideline evaluations that are evidence-based, objective, and available to coaches and/or parents to be utilized in the absence of a qualified health care professional.