Inside Concussion Management: The Athletic Trainer’s Perspective

On this episode of Talking Heads: Fresh Topics in Sports Neuropsychology, Dr. Danielle Kaplan and Dr. Sabrina Jennings talk with Brett Gustman who brings nearly two decades of athletic training experience to the conversation on concussion management and athlete safety. Drawing from his work with Inova Sports Medicine and experience across athletic settings, Brett discusses the athletic trainer’s role as a frontline provider and critical link between athletes, families, coaches, schools, and medical teams. In this dialogue, Brett explores the realities of concussion care, including sideline assessment, baseline testing, persistent symptoms, return-to-play decisions, and the challenges created by limited time and resources. He highlights the importance of individualized, multidisciplinary care that considers cognitive, vestibular, ocular, cervical, emotional, and exertional factors.