Background: In response to the rising incidence of concussions among children
and adolescents, the province of Ontario recently introduced the Ontario
Policy/Program Memorandum on Concussions (PPM No. 158) requiring school
boards to develop a concussion protocol. As this is the first policy of its
kind in Canada, the impact of the PPM is not yet known. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to all high school principals in the
Toronto District School Board 1 year after announcement of the PPM.
Questions covered extent of student, parent, and staff concussion education
along with concussion management protocols. Results: Of 109 high school principals contacted, 39 responded (36%). Almost
all schools provided concussion education to students (92%), with most
education delivered through physical education classes. Nearly all schools
had return to play (92%) and return to learn (77%) protocols. Although 85%
of schools educated staff on concussions, training was aimed at individuals
involved in sports/physical education. Only 43.6% of schools delivered
concussion education to parents, and many principals requested additional
resources in this area. Conclusions: One year after announcement of the PPM, high schools in the Toronto
District School Board implemented significant student concussion education
programs and management protocols. Staff training and parent education
required further development. A series of recommendations are provided to
aid in future concussion policy development.