Feb 24th, 2021 7:00PM
My concussion patient complains of dizziness and blurry vision, now what?
Healthcare providers responsible for the diagnosis and/or the treatment of concussions are seeking information about the current best practices. This includes best practice when it comes to assessing the severity and recovery of a concussion. These sessions are aimed at all health care practitioners (primary care physicians, sport medicine physicians, athletic therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, and psychologists etc…).
7:00PM - 7:15PM
Session 1: Acute adult concussion assessment: Focus on Dizziness and Blurry Vision
We will review the initial assessment of the adult concussion patient, gain an understanding of the important fundamentals of acute concussion assessment, learn why guidelines recommend assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner. Remember that 80% of concussion patients do well with simple advice from the current guidelines and do not require treatment or intervention. Focus on dizziness and burry vision: Understand when it may be sinister and how to give good advice when it is non-sinister, how to avoid pitfalls in symptom management, give appropriate advice for acute activity modification, graduated challenge, follow-up, and appropriate concussion documentation as necessary.
Speaker Profile
Dr. Michael Ellis
MD, FRCSC.
Dr. Ellis is a Neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery and Pediatrics, Section of Neurosurgery at the University of Manitoba. He is the Medical Director of the Pan Am Concussion Program. His clinical practice includes patients with a wide spectrum of traumatic brain injuries including adults with concussion.
7:15PM - 7:30PM
Session 2: Rehabilitative management of post-concussion dizziness
This presentation will introduce the importance of recognizing and managing concussion related dizziness in the subacute setting (2-6 weeks).
Speaker Profile
Karen M. Reimer
BMRP.T, MSc (Rehabilitation)
Karen graduated from U of Manitoba, SMR Physical Therapy program in 1995 with a special interest in vestibular disorders. She obtained her MSc (Rehabilitation) in 2013 and in 2016, she developed Fundamentals of Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Competency Based Course as an answer to providing competency-based training to Canadian physiotherapists interested in vestibular rehab. Karen also teaches in the Physiotherapy Program at U of M, College of Rehabilitation Sciences.
7:30PM - 7:45PM
Session 3: Post-concussion blurry vision: who, when and why.
This presentation will introduce the importance of recognizing pertinent vestibular and visual symptomatology.
Speaker Profile
Janine L. Johnston
BScPharm., MD FRCPC FAANDr. Johnston has practiced Neurology for over 30 years, training at the University of Toronto in Neuro-ophthalmology and Neuro-otology. She is a Fellow with the American Academy of Neurology and North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Ophthalmology at the University of Manitoba. She currently works in private practice specializing in Neuro-ophthalmology and Neuro-otology, with special interest in eye movement disorders.
7:45PM - 8:00PM
Panel Roundtable
With all three presenters
Facilitated by Dr. Patrick Fredette
Brought to you by the Manitoba Adult Concussion Network (MACN)
The Manitoba Adult Concussion network is a grassroot network of healthcare providers working collaboratively to promote and facilitate high-quality evidence-based care of adult concussion. For information about MACN please go to or website at: macn.ca