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For Immediate Release
January 14, 2016
U.S. EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS TEAM UP WITH THE NFL TO PROVIDE CONCUSSION EDUCATION
Free Online Continuing Medical Education Course Now Available to Physicians Nationwide
WASHINGTON —The Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) and the National Football League Foundation have partnered to provide an online continuing medical education course on the assessment and management of concussions. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), under the leadership of Joseph F. Waeckerle, MD, FACEP, will manage the project with funding provided by the NFL Foundation.
“This is an important and timely project, given a recent study that reports that emergency department visits for traumatic brain injury increased by 29 percent over just 4 years,” said Dr. Waeckerle. “We need to be involved in all aspects of care, from prevention through treatment. I enjoyed collaborating with some of the best experts in the world to produce a first-rate educational product for emergency physicians and anyone who is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of concussion. We look forward to future collaboration with the NFL Foundation.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency department visits for traumatic brain injury have increased 60 percent over the past decade, which is why emergency physicians are calling for more education on concussion recognition and care.
“Education is critical to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of the injury in the emergency room, on the sidelines and elsewhere,” said Jeff Miller, NFL senior vice president of health and safety policy. “The NFL is pleased to partner with leaders like EMF to educate physicians and improve care for anyone who suffers a concussion.”
Using a peer-review methodology, Dr. Waeckerle and members of ACEP developed an accredited continuing medical education course that covers a number of topics related to concussion, including: epidemiology, prevention and mitigation, recognition, management, and recovery and return to play. The free online course is available to all physicians nationwide and designated and approved by ACEP for a maximum of 1.5. AMA PRA Category 1 Credits and a maximum of 1.5 hour(s) of ACEP Category I credit.
“Early intervention is critical to preventing short and long-term complications,” said Brooks Bock, MD, FACEP, chairman of EMF. “EMF appreciates the NFL’s support for this important effort to help improve the care of people who have experienced concussions.”
For more information and access to the course, visit http://www.acep.org/concussionessentials/.
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Contacts:
EMF / ACEP: Julie Lloyd, 202-370-9292, jlloyd@acep.org, http://newsroom.acep.org, @EmergencyDocs
NFL: Catherine Boyle, 212-450-2162, catherine.boyle@nfl.com
About EMF
The Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) is THE charity of choice of emergency physicians. EMF promotes education and research that develops career emergency medicine investigators, improves patient care and provides the basis for effective health policy. EMF has awarded more than $12 million in emergency medicine research grants over its history.
EMF is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. The American College of Emergency Physicians makes an annual gift to EMF to underwrite administrative, program and fundraising expenses.
About ACEP
ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.
About NFL Foundation
The NFL Foundation is the league’s nonprofit organization representing the 32 NFL clubs. Its mission is to support the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football and the communities which support our game. For more information, visit http://www.nflfoundation.org/.