Abstract
This report is the first in a series presenting baseline Knowledge and Attitudes (KA) around concussion in sport in Rugby Referees March 2017 Survey.
The ‘Sports Concussion in New Zealand ACC National’ Guideline was released in 2014. The KA analysis provided an opportunity to assess current knowledge and attitudes of rugby referees towards concussion in sport.
The results from the Referee March 2017 Survey suggest that the Auckland-based sample of 140 rugby union referees are knowledgeable regarding concussion, and show positive attitudes towards correct management of the injury. There was a general consensus of the referees that further education for players, coaches and referees is required to optimise management and improve the awareness of concussion. Almost 50% of the referees who participated in the survey reported experiencing a previous concussion, and this, in addition to the high level of current media coverage surrounding concussion, may have contributed to improved recognition of key concussion signs and symptoms.
Recommendations
• Further education is required to understand some of the symptoms of sports concussion such as amnesia and the use of devices that may affect cognitive function
• Further education is needed over the time frames to return to sport
• Continuing educations programmes are required to ensure the current overall high levels of knowledge in the referees group remain high.
• It will be of interest to measure the impact of the ACC Concussion Guidelines and the Blue Card initiative with this group.
