Teaching/Learning Activity

Description of Activity

For this module entitled “The Role of Follow-up in Pediatric Concussion Recovery”, the selected learning activity will be an interactive case-based learning (CBL) scenario, where learners analyze real-world patient cases followed by peer discussion in an online forum. CBL aims to construct connections between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice by engaging students to promote high-order competencies, including critical thinking and decision-making skills (Varma et al., 2025). The complexity of concussion management necessitates a practical, application-driven learning experience rather passive knowledge consumption to ensure effective learning outcomes. CBL allows learners to engage in structured scenarios while engaging in peer discussions that reinforce best practices (Varma et al., 2025). Through these discussions, learners develop decision-making skills by considering different clinical perspectives while refining their own approaches based on peer and instructor/expert feedback. By analyzing realistic patient cases, learners must assess symptom progression, determine appropriate follow-up steps, and educate caregivers—key competencies necessary for effective concussion management (Corwin et al., 2021; Dawson et al., 2021).

Rationale for Meaningful Learning

This activity aligns with Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (SLT), which underscores the importance of learning through observation, imitation and modeling (Liu et al., 2024). SLT supports this learning approach by facilitating knowledge acquisition through expert-modeled case scenarios, structured peer discussions, and guided application of concepts. In this activity, learners will first observe expert demonstrations of best practices in pediatric concussion evaluation and follow-up through evidence-based interactive videos from the CDC HEADS UP program (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024).

These expert-led instructional videos will provide foundational knowledge on standardized concussion assessment, symptom monitoring, and follow-up care, ensuring alignment with current clinical guidelines and best practices. Links and access to these videos will be provided to learners under the appropriate module. In addition to these videos, learners will review a detailed patient case, which includes an initial assessment, follow-up recommendations, parental concerns, and potential challenges in concussion recovery. They will then engage in an individual analysis and reflection to determine appropriate follow-up actions, identify barriers to effective care, and develop a communication strategy to educate caregivers. To enhance engagement, learners will post their responses on an online discussion forum and response to at least two peers, which will help reinforce knowledge through collaborative analysis, which is one of the foundational principles of the SLT model. Finally, learners will apply their knowledge by responding to clinical application questions via an online quiz and will receive instructor feedback, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practices (De la Fuente et al., 2023). Learning through observation, peer collaboration and constructive feedback is the cornerstone of SLT and has been shown to reinforce retention and build self-efficacy in medical education settings (Liu et al., 2024).

This interactive CBL activity will help learners achieve the module’s objectives by applying knowledge in a structured, practical approach. Through clinical scenarios, they will determine how structured follow-up facilitates recovery monitoring, prevents long-term complications, and ensures appropriate return-to-play decisions using validated assessment tools such as SCAT6 (Corwin et al., 2021). Furthermore, learners will identify and analyze common challenges and barriers to effective follow-up, such as patient adherence issues, provider communication barriers, and disparities in care. These barriers will be explored in case discussions, allowing learners to propose solutions and enhance their understanding of real-world challenges in concussion recovery (Ramsay et al., 2023). Additionally, learners will have the opportunity to apply concussion management guidelines to determine whether a patient needs further evaluation, specialist referral, or continued monitoring, reinforcing evidence-based decision-making through peer discussion and instructor feedback (Dawson et al., 2021).

Creativity and Innovation

This CBL activity is interactive while fostering creativity and innovation in an online educational setting. It moves beyond passive learning by leveraging real-world clinical scenarios, which are evidence-based and highly relevant to the targeted audience. The peer discussion component promotes engagement and collaborative learning, ensuring learners actively process and apply practical knowledge. In addition, the self-paced format provides flexibility, making it an accessible yet impactful learning experience for all participants.