School Nurses’ Familiarity and Perceptions of Academic Accommodations for Student-Athletes Following Sport-Related Concussion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate school nurses’ familiarity and perceptions regarding academic accommodations for student-athletes following sport-related concussion. School nurses ( N = 1,246) accessed the survey School Nurses’ Beliefs, Attitudes and Knowledge of Pediatric Athletes with Concussions (BAKPAC-SN). The BAKPAC-SN contained several questions pertaining to concussion management and academic accommodations. There were significant differences regarding personal experience as well as familiarity of academic accommodations ( p < .001) between school nurses who work at a school that employs an athletic trainer and school nurses who work at a school that does not employ an athletic trainer. There were significant weak positive relationships between years of experience and familiarity with academic accommodations ( r = .210, p < .001), 504 plans ( r = .243, p < .001), and individualized education plans ( r = .205, p < .001). School nurses employed at a single school were significantly more familiar with academic accommodations ( p = .027) and 504 plans ( p = .001) than school nurses employed at multiple schools. Health care professionals should collaborate to effectively manage a concussed patient and should consider academic accommodations to ensure whole-person health care.