Doctors’ Duty: Protect Brain-Injured Athletes

Doctors have a moral duty to help protect athletes from the effects of concussions, a new policy statement says. The statement comes from the American Academy of Neurology. Neurologists treat concussions and other brain conditions. The statement says doctors should resist pressures from coaches, parents and others to return athletes to play too soon. Doctors also should educate athletes and their families about concussion risks that occur in sports. The statement calls for more baseline tests of brain function before the sports season begins. The doctors also urged creation of a national concussion registry. Reporting should be required, they said. And neurologists also should receive more training about concussions, the statement said. The journal Neurology published the statement. HealthDay News wrote about it July 9.