69 Reducing the Economic Burden of Concussion: A Remote Model of Neuropsychological Care in Rural America

Abstract

Objective:

When neuropsychologists serve as consultants to schools, concussion management programs are associated with fewer referrals, faster cognitive recovery, and reduced incidence of protracted recovery compared to programs with physician consultants. However, accessing neuropsychological services can be challenging due to geographical and financial barriers. Particularly in rural areas, travel associated with post-concussion management can represent as a significant financial and time burden. Increasing accessibility to neuropsychologists has the potential to address these concerns, while also providing quality care to more

individuals. The current study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness and clinical outcomes of a remote, neuropsychologist-led consultation model of concussion management. We hypothesized that this remote model would save patients both money and time, while also improving patient outcomes.

Participants and Methods:

604 high school concussion cases occurring between May 2019 and May 2022 were reviewed; 571 were included in the current analysis. The sample was 51% male with a mean age of 15.8 years (SD=1.32). All students took ImPACT tests following suspected concussions, with tests administered at the school by certified athletic trainers or nurses. Test results were electronically reviewed by the consulting neuropsychologist. Interpretations and recommendations were then sent via email to the school official. Cognitive recovery, defined as the days from the injury to the final ImPACT test, and incidence of repeat concussions, or concussions occurring within 3 months of a previous concussion, were used as indicators of patient outcomes. Financial burden was determined by calculating the round-trip distance in miles from the patient’s school to the neuropsychologist’s medical center, then multiplying this number by the 2022 standard mileage reimbursement rate of $0.63/mile to determine the travel cost for a single consultation.

Results:

The sample consisted of 571 individual concussion cases and 1,285 total ImPACT tests. An average of 2.25 tests were administered for each concussion case (SD=0.90), with an average of 18.47 days to the final test (SD=16.59). 8 concussions (1.4% of total concussions) occurred within 3 months of a previous injury. The distance from schools to the closest available neuropsychologist ranged from 2.4 to 102 miles. The remote nature of the consultation model allowed for patients to avoid up to 204 miles, or up to 4.5 hours, of driving for each consultation. Thus, patients saved anywhere from $3.00 to $127.50 in travel costs per consultation.

Conclusions:

The remote nature of this consultation model yielded a similar cognitive recovery time to previous literature, indicating that it may be as effective as in-person consultation. Repeat concussions represented less than 1.5% of concussion cases, indicating that care was successful enough to prevent second concussions in the majority of the sample. The remote nature of the model also saved patients time (up to 4.5 hours of driving) and money (up to $127.50 in travel costs). Thus, a remote consultation model has the potential to increase access to first-rate concussion care in rural settings, while also being cost- and time-effective for patients.