Professor Vicki Anderson receives MRFF grant to support concussion clinic
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A Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI)-led project to further develop personalised concussion care for children and young people has received federal funding.
Professor Vicki Anderson has been awarded a $1.5 million Traumatic Brain Injury grant by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to support the Concussion Essentials Clinic.
The clinic will connect children and adolescents aged eight to 18 years old who experience ongoing concussion symptoms to physiotherapists, psychologists and other specialists to assist in their recovery. Due to the success of the pilot program in Melbourne, it will become nationally accessible via telehealth, ensuring families don’t need to attend The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) for specialist support.
Professor Anderson said those from non-English speaking backgrounds, in regional areas and whose children have additional needs, would benefit most from remote telehealth access to the service.
“There is so much momentum in concussion research and we want as many patients as possible to benefit from the latest findings, including young adults and children at preschool age who experience significant, lingering symptoms,” she said. “While we have provided personalised rehabilitation programs inside the RCH, we want to also support young patients outside of major cities or who have complex accessibility needs.
Image: Professor Vicki Anderson
“Ultimately, we want to alleviate concussion symptoms faster, accelerate early recovery and provide free, accessible resources to families so children can be safely managed at home and feel like themselves again.”
Professor Anderson said the project would also see online training resources developed for health professionals.
Researchers from the Australian Football League (AFL), Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, Brain Injury Australia, Women’s and Children’s Health Network, University of Queensland Acquired Brain Injury Research Program, and Perth Children’s Hospital will also contribute to the project.
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