Engaging Athletic Trainers in Concussion Detection: Overview of the National Football League ATC Spotter Program, 2011-2017.

OBJECTIVE

To assist sideline medical staff and to augment detection of concussion in National Football League (NFL) players during preseason and regular season games via the use of certified athletic trainer (ATC) spotters.

BACKGROUND

Detecting concussive injuries in contact-sport athletes can be a challenging task for health care providers on the sideline. Over the past 8 years, professional sport leagues have begun to use additional sets of eyes (medical spotters along with video review) to help identify athletes with possible concussive injuries.

DESCRIPTION: The NFL first began a program using spotters in 2011, and the ATC Spotter Program has undergone systematic enhancements each year. This article describes the evolution of the ATC Spotter Program, the requirements and training of its participants, and the program data available to date. Directions for future improvement and research are addressed.

CLINICAL ADVANTAGES: The use of ATC spotters stationed in the broadcast booth has enhanced the real-time detection of concussed players in the NFL.