CLF Media Project utilizes Qstream to train journalists and students to correctly follow concussion protocols; protect athletes’ health
Burlington, MA, November 9, 2018 – Qstream, makers of software that uses science, data, and mobile technology to prompt meaningful behavior change, today announced its partnership with the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) to support the Concussion Legacy Foundation Media Project. The CLF Media Project is a program to keep working journalists informed and train journalism students across the country on how to report on concussions, with the goal to deliver audiences the right information for this critical public health issue. The CLF selected the Qstream best practice microlearning solution to improve media professionals’ knowledge of the proper medical management protocols for concussions, and help them use the correct terminology during media coverage when incidents occur.
Distinguished sports journalists Bob Costas, J.A. Adande, and Olivia Stomski launched the program at a press conference in New York City alongside CLF co-founders Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. and Robert Cantu, M.D. Click here to watch the press conference.
“As information surrounding the dangers of concussions continues to attract more attention, it’s essential sports influencers correctly understand best practices of the concussion protocol,” said Qstream CEO Rich Lanchantin. “Qstream is proud to partner with CLF Media Project to educate journalists and journalism students on these dangers. As busy people, these influencers require a learning solution like Qstream that fits seamlessly into their days, and helps them with the critical thinking skills needed to report concussion facts and incidents as they unfold during live coverage. Qstream is delighted to support this important public initiative.”
The CLF Media Project is two-pronged, with the first track being to educate working journalists, and by extension, hard to reach audiences on how to manage concussions and keep youth athletes safe. To achieve this, working media professionals can access the CLF Media Toolkit and earn their Concussion Reporting Certificate.
“Most concussions are still going undiagnosed,” said CLF medical director Robert Cantu, M.D. “Qstream is instrumental in our efforts to keep journalists informed on the latest concussion information so they can better educate parents, kids and coaches how to recognize and respond to concussions through their reporting.”
The second track is Concussion Reporting Workshop, a three-hour concussion reporting course, to educate journalism students. Qstream will be utilized both pre- and post-workshop. The Workshop is being piloted this fall at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism under the leadership of Adande and Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications under Stomski, and will be piloted in the spring at Boston University’s College of Communication by distinguished journalist and lecturer Andrea Kremer. Adande, Kremer and Stomski serve as advisors to the program and collaborated with CLF to develop the curriculum.
“It’s one thing to learn proper concussion terminology before the season, but another to be able to recall it live on-air months later,” said Chris Nowinski, Ph.D, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation. “We are excited to partner with Qstream to use neuroscience to help bridge that gap and educate media professionals and journalism students in a way that encourages knowledge retention and critical thinking.”