On this episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart Podcast, Dr. Osman Ahmed joins me to discuss concussion management and eHealth. Dr. Ahmed is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Bournemouth University, England and also works for the Football Association in England as a physiotherapist within their elite disability football programme. Since completing his PhD he has published and presented widely in the fields of concussion and eHealth/social media healthcare.

In this episode, we discuss:

-Is social media propagating myths about concussions?

-Why healthcare providers should be engaging in eHealth initiatives

-Challenges with concussion management for disabled populations

-The important role journalists play in disseminating knowledge about concussions in the mainstream media

-And so much more!

More providers are beginning to engage the public with healthcare information through the use of social media. Dr. Ahmed warns, "Social media is not going to stay the same. Social media is going to evolve." The challenge for clinicians is to keep current with the different platforms and continue to engage with users. He encourages, "We have to engage patients where they are."

Most of the markers in our current assessment tools for concussion recognition and concussion assessment will not have the same validity in disabled populations. Dr. Ahmed stresses, "There is a big opportunity to enhance the care for athletes with a disability when it comes to concussion in sport."

Dr. Ahmed believes transforming the public's view of concussions through the conduit of influencers in the media may be one of the best options for getting better healthcare outcomes following injury. As a result of a more informed public, "Better educated clinicians are going to be able to treat concussions better. Better educated parents are going to be able to manage their kids' symptoms better. Better educated players are not going to push each other to go back until their symptom free."

For more information on Dr. Ahmed:

Dr. Osman Ahmed is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Bournemouth University, England and also works for the Football Association in England as a physiotherapist within their elite disability football programme. He graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2002, and worked clinically until commencing his PhD in 2008 at the University of Otago, New Zealand on the topic of concussion in sport (with a focus on social media and concussion). Since completing his PhD he has published and presented widely in the fields of concussion and eHealth/social media healthcare.

Resources discussed on this show:

Consensus statement on concussion in sport

Dr. Ahmed will be travelling as the squad physiotherapist with the England Cerebral Palsy football team IFCPF CP Football World Championships (San Luis Argentina, September 4-24)

Osman Ahmed Bournemouth University

Email: [email protected]

Osman Ahmed Twitter

Dr. Mesko: eHealth information

Richard Weiler: Do Neurocognitive SCAT3 Baseline Test Scores Differ Between Footballers (Soccer) Living With and Without Disability? A Cross-Sectional Study

Sport Concussion Assessment Tool: 5th Edition

CDC: Concussion Checklist

Mayo Clinic Website

Cleveland Clinic

CDC: Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion

Football Association

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Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart!

Xo Karen