Research Stream 1: Expanding understandings of youth concussion ‘recovery’
Study #1: Conceptualizing Concussion Recovery: A Virtual Multimedia Storytelling Project
Clinical care guidelines for the management of youth concussion aim toward achieving full recovery and avoiding what has been termed ‘prolonged recovery’. Yet, almost no research has been done together with young people who have sustained concussion to understand their perspectives on life after concussion and what constitutes a ‘good’ or ‘full’ recovery. We are partnering through online workshops with young people (16-23 years of age) who have experienced concussion as they create multimedia stories that represent how they understand recovery. This research will help ensure that concussion-related research and services are attuned to the real-world needs and priorities of young people.
Status: Recruitment is now closed for this study; data analysis is underway.
Research Team
Dr. Gail Teachman, Principle Investigator, Western University
Dr. Katie Mah, Co-Investigator, Western University
Dr. Barbara Gibson, Co-Investigator, University of Toronto
Agnes Mathew, PhD Student, Graduate Research Fellow, Western University
Research Partners
NOvEL Lab, Bloorview Research Institute
Re:Vision: The Centre for Art and Social Justice
Funding Sources
Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellowship Project Funding
Kimel Family Opportunities Fund, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
VOICE Innovation Grant, Newton Foundation, McGill University
Study #2: Representations of youth concussion ‘recovery’ in health and rehabilitation: A critical interpretive synthesis
In this study, we bring a critical lens to analyzing how youth concussion recovery is described in the fields of health and rehabilitation. Elaborating on critical interpretive synthesis methods forwarded by Dixon-Woods and colleagues (2006), this review study is focused on research questions such as: What are the taken-for-granted assumptions underlying ‘concussion recovery’? and what are the potential effects of such assumptions for youth, their families, and service providers? This type of critical review can provide a catalyst for expanding ways of thinking about life after concussion and advancing supports for youth and their families.
Status: This review study is underway.
Research Team
Dr. Katie Mah, Co-Investigator, Western University
Dr. Gail Teachman, Principle Investigator, Western University
Dr. Barbara Gibson, Co-Investigator, University of Toronto
Outputs
2024 January
(invited) Mah K, & Teachman G. Contemplating youth concussion ‘recovery’ through a critical childhood ethics lens. The Hospital for SickKids’ Rehabilitation Rounds. Bioethics Week. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
2023 May
Mah K, & Teachman G. Reorienting constructions of concussion ‘recovery’ through a disability studies lens. Nordic Network of Disability Research 16th Research Conference. Reykjavik, Iceland.
Mah K, & Teachman G. Reorienting concussion ‘recovery’ through a Critical Rehabilitation Studies lens. Postdoctoral Association at Western, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Mah K, & Teachman G. Reorienting constructions of concussion ‘recovery’ through a critical disability studies lens. Child Health Symposium, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
In Preparation
Representations of youth concussion ‘recovery’ in health and rehabilitation: A critical interpretive synthesis