The Aspetar Sport Related Concussion Programme is a comprehensive concussion management programme offering evidence-based concussion care for athletes in Qatar. Based on the latest Consensus statement on concussion in sport (the “Berlin consensus”, 2016), the programme includes a community-wide concussion awareness campaign, education of coaches and referees in the recognition of concussion, and cutting edge medical care from field-side to specialist level.

Aspetar recognises the importance of proper concussion care to prevent serious complications such as second-impact syndrome, post-concussion syndrome and the possible association with the degenerative brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Of equal importance is the effect of proper concussion management to reduce the risk of further injuries and to ensure earliest possible return-to-play.

The programme is designed to cater for the specific needs of Qatari athletes. The standardized Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5) has been adapted and translated into Arabic. The CNS computerized neurocognitive programme is used to provide neurocognitive testing in the athlete’s preferred language.

Aspetar has appointed Dr Jon Patricios, an international authority on Sport Related Concussion, as expert consultant. Aspetar is also collaborating with the Concussion in Sport Group (CiSG) who are the authors of the consensus statement and the SCAT tools, Elite Sport Concussion Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Clinic at the Institute for Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH) in the United Kingdom, and Weill-Cornell Medical College in Qatar.