On-line Registration

Time

Session, Speaker(s), Synopsis and Learning Objectives

7:30-8:30

Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30-8:45

Welcoming Remarks

Paul Comper, PhD,  CPsych

Clinical Neuropsychologist, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – UHN; Co-Director, University of Toronto Concussion Clinic 

8:45-9:15

The Current State of Sports Concussion

Jeffrey S. Kutcher, MD

Associate Professor, Department of Neurology Team Physician, University of Michigan, Director, Michigan NeuroSport

This presentation will provide a comprehensive review of sports concussion, including definitions, diagnostic strategies and approaches to clinical management, that focuses on both short-term and long-term clinical outcomes.

• Describe the basic pathophysiology leading to concussion
• Discuss the comprehensive approach to injury diagnosis and management
• List factors that affect short-term and long-term outcomes

9:15-9:45

Best Practices in Management University Athletes with Concussion: The University of Toronto Approach

Doug Richards, MD

Assistant Professor, Medical Director, David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto

 The University of Toronto Concussion Program was established in 1999-2000 and integrates best practices and current evidence into a working model of concussion management for university athletes. This presentation will discuss the model and its essential elements of management university (and other) athletes with concussion, from the point of injury to assessment and management in the sports-medicine clinic to return to play and return to studies.

• Explain the components of the model including symptom identification neuropsychological and balance assessment, exercise progression through the “6 steps” and return to play/studies
• Understand the emphasis on the appropriate management of symptoms in conjunction with returning to academics

9:45-10:15

Return to Learn: St. Michael’s College School’s Experiences with Return to Academics after Concussion

Barbara Csenge, BA, B.Ed

Director of Learning Enrichment, St. Michael’s College School

Clare Brandys, PhD, CPysch

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Private Practice/SMCS Consultant

This presentation will provide an overview of St. Michael’s College School’s innovative step-wise academic reintegration program. There is a general understanding of the importance of a graduated step-wise return to athletics. The Return to Learn program addresses the need to provide a similar framework to support and educate school communities with academic progression following student concussion.

• Identify the impact of concussion symptoms for learning and classroom participation
• Describe a practical, graduated academic reintegration program for students following concussion
• Discuss wider implication of student challenges following concussion

10:15-10:45

Nutrition Break and Sponsor/Exhibit Viewing Time

10:45-11:45

Workshop 1:

Management of Post-Traumatic Headache-Challenges and Obstacles

Jonathan Gladstone, MD FRCPC

Consultant Neurologist & Headache Specialist, Director, Gladstone Headache Clinic; Headache Specialist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Headache and Neurology Specialist, Head Injury Clinic, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – UHN, Co-Director, Headache Clinic, The Hospital for Sick Children; Director of Neurology and Headache Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Canada; Consultant Neurologist, Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors

This presentation will begin by highlighting the challenges in managing the patient with post-traumatic headache. This will be followed by an overview of experienced-based management of post-traumatic headache.

• Identify the challenges in managing an individual with post-traumatic headache
• Recognize that narcotic analgesics should be avoided in the management of chronic post-traumatic headache
• Appreciate the therapeutic options available for the management of post-traumatic headache

10:45-11:45

Workshop 2:

Treatment of Vestibular Disorders in the Traumatic Brain Injured Patient

John Rutka, MD, FRCSC

Professor of Otolaryngology, University of Toronto, Staff Ontologist/Neurotologist; University Health Network

Complaints of dizziness post head injury are common. This presentation will present an overview of the dizzy patient and identify the common causes for dizziness post head injury. Data from over 3,000 patients over a 20 year period from the Workplace Safety and Injury Board (WSIB) is presented to gain a further understanding of this complaint.

• Learn a structured approach for the history and physical examination of the dizzy patient
• Appreciate the common causes for dizziness in the head injured population
• Learn physical therapy manoeuvres for the patient with post traumatic benign positional vertigo (BPV)

10:45-11:45

Workshop 3:

Return to Play: Assessment of the Potentially Concussed Athlete

Jeffrey S. Kutcher, MD

Associate Professor, Department of Neurology Team Physician, University of Michigan, Director Michigan NeuroSport

 This workshop will illustrate an approach to the acutely concussed athlete. It will cover when to keep an athlete out of participation and when to activate EMS with practical examples.

• Develop a regimented, yet flexible, approach to acute concussion management
• List the warning signs that warrant activation of EMS
• Describe possible alternative explanations for concussion symptoms

10:45-11:45

Workshop 4:

Compensation Challenges of Survivors of mTBI

Dale Orlando

McLeish Orlando LLP

John McLeish

McLeish Orlando LLP

Roger Oatley

Oatley, Vigmond LLP

Jim Vigmond

Oatley, Vigmond LLP

This presentation will provide an overview of the challenges faced in the tort system.

• To better work with lawyers in a collaborative way to assist victims of mTBI
• Appreciate the importance of accurate and balanced assessment reports in this area

11:45-12:45

Networking Lunch and Sponsor/Exhibitor Viewing

12:45-1:10

Concussions and Kids: What Do We Owe Them?

Chris Nowinski, A.B.

Co-Director, Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy; Executive Director, Sports Legacy Institute

This presentation will provide a short history of concussion awareness, review the current state of knowledge, and discuss the different ethical obligations we have to adults versus children.

• List biomechanical differences between adults and children
• Describe neurodevelopmental issues as they relate to concussions and concussion reporting
• Explain ways to provide greater concussion safety for young children

1:10-1:55

Part 1:

The Concussion Spectrum of Disorders

Charles H. Tator, CM, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS

Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital – UHN; Senior Scientist – Toronto Western Research Institute; Project Leader, KNC Canadian Sports Concussion Project: Founder, ThinkFirst Canada, Board Member, Parachute Canada

This talk will encompass the spectrum of concussion disorders ranging from acute concussion to brain degeneration such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

• Describe the concussion spectrum of disorders
• Appreciate the spectrum from acute concussion to the consequences of repetitive concussion
• Appreciate the implications for primary, secondary and tertiary appropriate clinical activity

Part 2:

The Complex Consequences of Multiple Concussions

Robin Green, PhD, CPysch

Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Traumatic Brain Injury; Senior Scientist and Head, Cognition Team, Head, Cognitive Neurorehabiltiation Sciences Laboratory, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – UHN; Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Neurosciences, University of Toronto; Head Cognitive and Social Sciences Stream Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Toronto

This talk will discuss the range of consequences of sustaining multiple concussions (and sub-concussions) ranging from one extreme of no measureable effects to the other extreme: chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

• Describe the cognitive and emotional effects of multiple concussions at the milder end of the spectrum
• Give a definition of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and describe it's clinical manifestations
• Appreciate the evolution of concussions over time, distinguishing acute from chronic effects
• Discuss how we measure the effects of concussions, and the limitations of our measurement capabilities

1:55-2:20

The Ontario Concussion Strategy: Translating Knowledge into Action

Mark Bayley, MD, FRCPC

Medical Director, Neuro Rehabilitation Program, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – UHN; Associate Professor, University of Toronto

This presentation will provide an overview of the 5 priority initiatives of the Concussion Strategy to improve mTBI care and the emerging products available for clinicians.

• Discuss the challenges in care of concussion in Ontario
• Name the five topic areas that the Concussion Strategy has prioritized to enhance mTBI care for Ontarians
• Discuss at least two of the products of the strategy that could be useful in their practice

2:20-2:50

Nutrition Break and Sponsor/Exhibit Viewing Time

2:50-3:50

Workshops – Session 2 (4 Concurrent Workshops) – Please see above at 10:45am for descriptions

3:50-4:00

Transition Time back to Main Room for Panel Session

4:00-4:35

Panel Session:

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury On and Off the Field

In this interactive session, participants will be given some insight into the pressures faced by varsity level student-athletes as well as professional athletes who have suffered from a concussion. Clinicians will also be on hand to discuss the rehabilitation options and considerations presented to these athletes.

4:35

Closing Remarks