| Title: |
Educators' Perspectives of the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Appropriateness of the Buddy Program for Secondary School Students Post-Concussion |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Heather A. Shepherd (ORCID 0000-0003-0665-8674); Hayley Bobye-Magnusson (ORCID 0009-0003-3216-4974); Ruth Cavanagh; Michael Simmonds; Carolyn A. Emery; Heather Colquhoun; Nick Re (ORCID 0000-0001-9360-7888); Co-Design Team Members |
| Source: |
Journal of School Health. 2026 96(3). |
| Availability: |
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
9 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Peer Relationship; Head Injuries; Neurological Impairments; Teacher Attitudes; Program Effectiveness; Feasibility Studies; Secondary School Teachers; Secondary School Students; Social Support Groups; Student Leadership; School Culture; Readiness; Program Implementation; Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: |
Canada |
| DOI: |
10.1111/josh.70119 |
| ISSN: |
0022-4391; 1746-1561 |
| Abstract: |
Background: Students want support from their peers to help them at school while they recover from concussion. Educators are responsible for implementing school-based programs, including peer support. We explored educators' perspectives of implementing a novel peer support program "Buddy Program" for students post-concussion. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods feasibility case study to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the Buddy Program. Results: Thirty-two educators at two independent secondary schools completed the survey and seven educators participated in a follow-up interview. The Buddy Program was perceived to be feasible, appropriate, and acceptable to implement at school. Educators shared that access to social support and opportunities for student leadership, school culture and readiness, and considerations for adopting the Buddy Program affected program implementation. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: The Buddy Program is a feasible avenue for providing social and academic support to students following a concussion. The implementation of the Buddy Program can be considered for schools as part of a holistic approach to concussion management. Conclusions: The Buddy Program aligns with school values and may be an avenue to support students returning to school following a concussion. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1498372 |
| Database: |
ERIC |