“Accessing health information is the third-highest search that Canadians do [online], so how do we know what is the most credible, evidence-based information on concussion. That’s why we created the CATT Online.”
Dr. Shelina Babul
Episode 3
Concussions can happen to anyone, at almost any time. They don’t just happen to hockey players or football players; a person can experience a hit to the head or the body or be involved in a car accident. What is key to a good recovery is being able to recognise the signs of a concussion, for the injured and those around them? This month, Concussion Central is talking to Dr. Shelina Babul, the creator of the Concussion Awareness Training Tool, or CATT Online. Her team has developed one of the best sites available for helping people learn about recognizing concussion, not just for ordinary people, like parents, partners, coaches, athletes, teachers, and co-workers but for medical professionals too.
For a concussion to be diagnosed, you need to be assessed by a physician but there are common signs or characteristics that anyone can be trained to look for that will help an injured person get the correct diagnosis. Knowing what to look for and how to describe symptoms is important for communicating with your healthcare professionals. Concussions can be tricky to recognize, symptoms don’t have to happen instantly. They can show up sometime after the accident, and they may get worse over time. The more prepared we are to recognize them, the better off an injured person will be.
Part of what Concussion Central wants to do is help information about concussions be found easily. We’re not here to reinvent the wheel, we are here to point people in the right direction, and help you find trusted information about your injury. Learning to spot concussion is only one part of the concussion journey, but it is an important one.
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You can find the Concussion Awareness Training Tool at cattonline.com