Concussion Harmonization Project

With support from the Public Health Agency of Canada, and in collaboration with Sport Canada, Parachute is leading the harmonization of concussion guidelines and protocols across Canada.

Project goals

The project ensures best-practice tools and resources are placed in the hands of those who need them and has impact in two key ways:

Improved concussion recognition and management in sport, health and education.
Increased awareness and confidence among Canadians of how to prevent, recognize and manage concussion and where to access evidence-based concussion information.

Harmonization means consistency

The concept of harmonization is simple. Concussion protocols should be consistent across the country and aligned with the best available evidence. This alignment ensures that, while concussion protocols can be customized to work in different settings, each will be based on the same core principles.

Importance of harmonization

Early recognition, proper medical assessment and appropriate management make a difference in how a person recovers from a concussion. A harmonized approach better equips coaches, parents, officials, athletes and health professionals with information that is consistent and based on best practices. Harmonization will contribute to safer sport for youth and help them return to the classroom, physical activity and everyday life as quickly and effectively as possible.

Source of evidence

Our most up-to-date evidence comes from the 6th International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in October 2022. Parachute works closely with concussion experts from across Canada to understand the evidence and what it means for concussion prevention, recognition and management. We originally developed the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport in 2017 to help all people in Canada understand the best approach to concussion.

Accomplishments

In Phase 1 , to June 2018, we:

Published the first-ever Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport.
Engaged 42 National Sport Organizations (national sport governing bodies) to harmonize their concussion protocols.
Developed free, accredited online training for medical professionals to update their patient care.
Worked with Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (Ophea) to understand the successes and challenges of concussion protocols in schools.
Delivered key messages about concussion to Canadians through Parachute’s website, social media platforms, presentations and media coverage.

In Phase 2, to March 2020, we:

Increased our engagement of National Sport Organizations (NSOs) to harmonize their concussion protocols, from 42 to 49 NSOs.
Partnered with the BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit to make four Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) courses available in both official languages.
Partnered with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Institute to update SCHOOLFirst, a resource to help educators support return to school after concussion.
Reached more than 40,000 Canadian youth with digital content to increase their knowledge and confidence to recognize and respond to concussion.

Launched the national #CheckForConcussion campaign with French and English video public service announcements and billboards featuring Olympic ice dancing gold medallist Scott Moir, Olympic hockey gold medallist Marie-Philip Poulin, Paralympian and World Champion wheelchair basketball Cindy Ouellet, and world champion downhill skier Steve Podborski. The campaign drew more than 380 million media impressions from the TV PSA broadcasts, billboard placements across Canada, shopping mall and restaurant digital screens and social media sharing, driving more than 60,000 visitors over two months to Parachute’s concussion resource page.

In Phase 3, to March 2025, we will:

Publish the second edition of the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport to reflect updated evidence and expert consensus.
Provide support to National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and Multisport Service Organizations (MSOs) to update concussion policies and protocols.
Develop updated concussion resources for public and professional audiences (e.g., parents, teachers and coaches).
Implement knowledge translation and dissemination activities for sport organizations, professionals and the public, to make them aware of the updated Guideline and related resources.