AIS Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement February 2024 – click here
Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport – the 6th international conference on concussion in sport, Amsterdam October 22 – click here
Western Australian Concussion Network
The Western Australian Concussion Network (WACN) is a collaboration between community, clinicians and researchers, to improve the identification and treatment pathways of concussion for all West Australians.
Would you like to be a member or just know a little more about the Western Australian Concussion Network? Get in touch via email at wacn@connectivity.org.au
Who’s behind the WA Concussion Network?
Dr. Gill Cowen
Founding Member
Alec Ring
Founding Member
Phoebe Freeman
Clinical Committee Lead
Myles Murphy
Research Committee Lead
Troy Kirkham
Professional Committee Lead
Naomi Fuller
Governance and Support
WACN Committees
The work of the WACN Team is separated into three sub-committees comprising Professional, Clinical and Research. Further information about the roles of these committees is outlined below:
Professional Committee – Lead Troy Kirkham
The Professional Committee brings together professionals in their field that deal with concussion from a practical on-the-ground perspective. This involves settings that include (but are not limited to):
- Sports
- Schools
- Workplaces.
The Professional Committee looks at concussion from a broad sense across three key phases:
- Pre- Concussive event (education, awareness, rules, policies and best practices)
- When a concussion has occurred (education, best practice approach)
- Post Concussion and Return to School / Play (best practice, protocols and policies)
Our on the ground knowledge and expertise can also help inform both clinician and researchers in terms of connecting what occurs in theory to what happens in practice.
Clinical Committee – Lead: Phoebe Freeman
The Clinical Committee works to further understand how different providers assess and treat concussions and when it’s appropriate to refer on for early intervention. This group will also provide a further understanding of how to work together for a patient to assist with return to learn/work/school.
Research Committee – Lead: Myles Murphy
The Research Committee works to connect to research opportunities and ensuring outcomes are shared.
Member Correspondence
Click here for access to the WACN Member Portal. Please note, only approved members will have access.
Media and Education
Dr Gill Cowen featured on apple podcast The Good GP: The latest in Concussion Management: A conversation with Dr Gill Cowen
Click here to learn more and listen.
Dr Gill Cowen will be presenting at Brain Injury Australia’s 9th national brain injury conference, being held at Adelaide Oval from the 24th to 26th September 2024.
Dr Gill Cowen featured on Distance Is No Obstacle, a medical educational podcast for Rural Health West, aimed at providing bite sized education and information for people working in rural and remote Australia.
Research and Projects
AUS-mTBI
The Australian Mild traumatic Brain Injury Study (AUS-mTBI) is new Australian research that harnesses mobile and web-based app technology to better understand concussion and improve management of concussion. This is the first concussion study in the world to integrate best practice, world leading research and patient recovery experiences. This research project is seeking information and insights from 5000 everyday people who have recently experienced concussion, who can be guided in their recovery while contributing to groundbreaking research. Click here to find out more.
Resources for Members
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Concussion Statements
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International Guidelines
Adult, Children and Military International TBI guidelines – click here
Sport Concussion In New Zealand: National Guidelines October 2023 – click here
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Concussion Articles of Interest
Australian Government Senate Inquiry into Concussions and Repeated Head Trauma in Contact Sport, released September 2023 – click here
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Australian TBI Guidelines and Pathways
Australian State and Territory TBI Guidelines – click here
Concussion Pathway – click here
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Sporting Codes TBI Guidelines
Sporting Codes TBI Guidelines – click here
The Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian Football, March 2024 (AFL) – click here
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Clinical Downloads
Concussion Recognition Tool 6 – click here
SCAT6 – click here
SCOAT6 – click here
Child SCAT6 – click here
Child SCOAT6 – click here
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Connect to Australian research
The LONG TBI research project is gathering information on the current longitudinal management of neurological impairments in TBI patients (concussion included), as well exploring the awareness of risk of neurodegenerative disease development following TBI. The project is seeking input from health professionals who interact with concussion patients. Click here for more information.
For a suite of other Australian TBI research projects please click here.
News for Members
Clinician Assist WA
Please note, since August 2024, Clinician Assist WA has replaced HealthPathways WA. Access to this site is now via: https://clinicianassistwa.org.au/login/
It is a secure website that provides GPs and other health professionals with guidance for assessing, managing and referring patients across Western Australia. It has replaced HealthPathways WA.
Previous users must re-register and set up a unique login, as part of the improved security of this site.