Sports-concussion dilemma: Robot doctors could be the answer in rural America

The study provides preliminary data to support a nascent movement to utilize teleconcussion equipment at all school sporting events where neurologists or other concussion experts aren't immediately accessible. "I see teleconcussion being applicable anywhere in the world," said Dr. Bert Vargas, the study's lead author, who directs the sports neuroscience and concussion program at the O'Donnell Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Concussion awareness has moved to the mainstream of national dialogue in recent years, fueled by revelations that former NFL players suffered permanent damage to their brains due to repeated head impacts. Having personnel on hand to quickly identify and remove concussed players from games is an important part of protecting against such long-term injuries, Dr. Vargas said. But across the country -- and most notably in rural regions -- more than half of public high schools don't have athletic trainers available to spot such incidents, increasing the chances that a concussion could go unnoticed and perhaps be exacerbated by additional injuries.