Feasibility of Direct-Access Physical Therapy for Concussion Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Pilot Implementation Study

The study investigated whether direct access to pediatric physical therapy in the pediatric emergency department (PED) would enhance parental satisfaction, early concussion management, documentation, and service organization. Conducted at a single center, it analyzed data from patients under 18 years old with suspected concussions, comparing those who received care from a pediatric physical therapist plus usual care to those who received only usual care. Results showed that parents of children seen by the pediatric physical therapist reported higher satisfaction, and prognostic information was more systematically collected, suggesting that incorporating pediatric physical therapists into the PED could improve overall care and service organization.