That's a complex question. I think the fundamental answer is yes, but I would say that.... I'm a pediatric neurologist. I started this when my own kid was concussed 20 years ago, and I was looking over my shoulder for the emergency doctor because my formal training as a neurologist who looks after children did not involve concussions. Now 20 years later, I'm here in front of you, and I know that most of the kids on my kids' teams are just as good at recognizing concussions. In fact, I'm thrown back to a national championship where I didn't recognize the concussion, but the kids told me exactly when it happened on the field. I missed it. The kids are getting better at this.
I think one of the things that came from Rowan's inquest is really the issue that this is a community injury. We are all responsible: pharmacists, parents and coaches. I think one of the problems we have is the field is moving so quickly right now that some of us who had our coaching certification a few years ago are out of date. It's time to recertify. Things are changing so very rapidly in this field that I'm amazed. As I said, it's truly amazing keeping up with the field.
I have to say one thing. One month ago, the first of the trials for exercise became published, showing that exercise is actually a valid treatment for concussion. We'd been waiting for that. Now the first of the trials is out. Life is changing. I'm sitting back and changing what I'm doing clinically again.