The NFL have made an intriguing announcement regarding concussion.
Starting from next season, the National Football League(NFL) will have unaffiliated neurological consultants for pitchside assessment of suspected concussive injuries during matches.
Jeff Pash is the executive vice president of labour and general counsel for the NFL, and believes that the players will benefit from this independent additional 'set of eyes on the game'. He spoke at the NFL Health & Safety news conference in New Orleans in the Thursday prior to the Super Bowl.
Pro Football Weekly report
"They will work with the team medical staffs. The unaffiliated neurological consultant will assist in the identification, diagnosis and management of players who have had concussions" adding that they will " assist in making sure that we (the NFL) provide uniform and highest-level care for players who have experienced concussions. The goal is to have expertise, the highest-quality care, make sure that we're administering protocols that have been put in place in a thorough, comprehensive way, and we think this additional physican will accomplish that".
Starting from next season, the National Football League(NFL) will have unaffiliated neurological consultants for pitchside assessment of suspected concussive injuries during matches.
Jeff Pash is the executive vice president of labour and general counsel for the NFL, and believes that the players will benefit from this independent additional 'set of eyes on the game'. He spoke at the NFL Health & Safety news conference in New Orleans in the Thursday prior to the Super Bowl.Pro Football Weekly report
"They will work with the team medical staffs. The unaffiliated neurological consultant will assist in the identification, diagnosis and management of players who have had concussions" adding that they will " assist in making sure that we (the NFL) provide uniform and highest-level care for players who have experienced concussions. The goal is to have expertise, the highest-quality care, make sure that we're administering protocols that have been put in place in a thorough, comprehensive way, and we think this additional physican will accomplish that".
Pash also then implied that these injuries are somewhat different to most injuries, and that these are harder for the team medics to manage: " The team physician is in the best position to make these evaluations because of the unique knowledge that the team physician has of the player. A concussion is a different kind of injury. Sometimes there may be obvious signs, but sometimes more subtle."
There is a feeling that team-employed medical staff have clashed with team coaching staff in the past, highlighted by the Washington Redskins'/RG3 injury issue in the latter part of the season. Team-affiliated Doctors clash highlights need for culture change
This blog has reported on the increased attention that have been reported over the past two years, and this stance could be seen as a response to the increasing demands on the NFL to respond.
Pash also revealed that the NFL was addressing issues in the game with the replacement of older helmets with new ones in partnership with USA Football last year in a pilot study, and there is an encouraging partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These events cannot be seen as a panacea, but are welcome changes to the sport at the highest level of what can be a brutal game, and the minimising of risk is a very positive move for those who sometimes need protection from themselves.
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