Concussion Knowledge Among Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Emergency Medicine Residents: A Multi-institutional Study in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND

Despite the major prevalence of concussion, it is the most misdiagnosed and undertreated form of traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

This multi-institutional questionnaire-based cross-sectional study aimed to assess concussion knowledge, exposure, and learning among neurosurgery, neurology, and emergency medicine residents in the western region of Saudi Arabia. The data collection of the responses was conducted between January and March 2024. The questionnaire contained 30 structured questions in three sections: Demographic data, knowledge of concussion definitions and management, and learning experiences on the topic.

RESULTS

A total of 105 residents participated, with a mean age of 28.32±2.62 years. Fifty-two (49.52%) were males. Neurosurgery residents scored significantly higher, 4±0.85 out of 9, in concussion knowledge in comparison to residents in neurology, 3 ± 1.32 out of 9, and emergency medicine, 3.32±1.06 out of 9 residents. These differences were statistically significant (p=<0.005). Linear regression analysis indicated that residents who received lower scores on the concussion knowledge tended to rate themselves lower than those who received higher scores (B=0.461, p=0.0107). Fifty-six (53.33%) residents have not been clinically exposed to patients with concussions. The residents scored a median of 8 (2-10) out of 10 regarding their desire to involve concussion-related knowledge in their curricula. Fifty-seven (54.29%) residents chose textbooks as their most preferred source of learning about concussion, and 37 (35.24%) chose textbooks as their most preferred format.

CONCLUSION

Residents of three specialties exhibited notable gaps in their knowledge of concussion; however, neurosurgery residents demonstrated better knowledge than their counterparts. These findings necessitate further education and training according to residents' preferred sources and formats to improve medical care and reduce unfavorable outcomes.