Development of an Education Module on Concussions in Youth for Primary Care Nurse Practitioners in Utah

Background: Sports-related concussions (SRC) are very common in youth in the US and represent a major clinical challenge. Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) have been developed to help guide the health care provider (HCP) in the diagnosis and management of SRC. Seventy-three percent of HCPs report that they deviate from current concussion CPGs in their clinical practices. The Protection of Athletes with Head Injuries Law in Utah requires HCPs caring for youth with concussions receive continuing education (CE) regarding SRC every three years. Currently, there are no CE modules on SRC developed for nurse practitioners (NPs) in the state of Utah. Project Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to develop and pilot an evidence-based educational module for primary care NPs in Utah on the evaluation and management of SRC in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years old. Methods: The education module integrates the concussion education curriculum developed by Pamela Mapstone DNP, PCNP. The module incorporates current CPGs and an extensive literature search. Following development of the module three clinical experts in SRC independently reviewed the module. Modifications were made accordingly and a pilot study evaluating the quality and usability of the education module was conducted. Sixteen NPs working in Utah were invited to complete the module followed by a short survey related to user satisfaction. The final version of the education module was modified based on the results of the pilot study. Results: An education module on SRC in youth for NPs working in primary care in Utah was successfully developed and piloted for quality and usability. The results of the pilot study support the content addressing the learning objectives; and that the module was easy to use. Conclusion: The education module tailored to the needs of NPs working in primary care in Utah has the potential to improve NPs’ knowledge of SRC in youth. Further study is recommended to evaluate the effects of the education module on clinical practice outcomes.