REAP, which stands for Remove/Reduce • Educate • Adjust/Accommodate • Pace, is a community-based model for Concussion Management that was developed in Colorado. The early origins of REAP stem from the dedication of one typical high school and its surrounding community after the devastating loss of a freshman football player to “Second Impact Syndrome” in 2004. The author of REAP, Dr. Karen McAvoy, was the psychologist at the high school when the tragedy hit. As a School Psychologist, Dr. McAvoy quickly pulled together various team members at the school (Certified Athletic Trainer, School Nurse, Counselors, Teachers and Administrators) and team members outside the school (Students, Parents and Healthcare Professionals) to create a safety net for all students with concussion. Under Dr. McAvoy’s direction from 2004 to 2009, the interdisciplinary team approach evolved from one school community to one entire school district. Funded by an education grant from MINDSOURCE Brain Injury Network in 2009, Dr. McAvoy sat down and wrote up the essential elements of good interdisciplinary team concussion management and named it REAP, thereby creating a model for concussion management that can be utilized by any community.
To access the RI REAP manual click here!