A rehabilitation physician plays a key role in the multidisciplinary management of concussion by overseeing comprehensive patient care. They are specialist doctors who ensures a holistic approach to recovery, integrating medical management, functional rehabilitation, and long-term recovery planning. Key areas of their role include:

1. Medical Assessment and Diagnosis
   
   Rehabilitation physicians conduct detailed clinical evaluations to diagnose concussion and assess its severity. They identify associated impairments, including neurological, musculoskeletal, and autonomic dysfunctions, to guide appropriate treatment pathways.

2. Symptom Management
   
   Concussion symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, cognitive impairments, and mood disturbances require tailored management. Rehabilitation physicians use a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate symptoms and enhance recovery.

3. Multidisciplinary Coordination
   
   As the lead clinician in concussion rehabilitation, they coordinate care among physiotherapists, neuropsychologists, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, social workers, and other healthcare providers. This ensures a structured, patient-centred recovery plan.

4. Return-to-Activity and Work Planning
   
   Safe and graded return to work, study, and daily activities is crucial for recovery. Rehabilitation physicians develop structured reintegration plans, balancing symptom management with functional goals, and liaising with employers and educators as needed.

5. Cognitive and Emotional Support
   
   Concussions can impact cognition and mental health, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Rehabilitation physicians work closely with neuropsychologists to address these challenges, implementing strategies such as cognitive pacing and behavioural therapies.

6. Pain and Headache Management
   
   Post-traumatic headaches and musculoskeletal pain are common. Rehabilitation physicians utilise evidence-based approaches, including medication management, trigger point therapy, and referral to physiotherapy or interventional pain specialists when necessary.

7. Autonomic Nervous System and Sleep Dysregulation
   
   Many individuals experience dysautonomia and sleep disturbances following a concussion. Rehabilitation physicians provide strategies and interventions to improve autonomic function and sleep quality, including graded exercise therapy and sleep hygiene techniques.

8. Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation
   
   Balance and vestibular dysfunction can persist after head injury. Rehabilitation physicians assess and refer patients for targeted vestibular therapy, ensuring safe progression in physical activities.

9. Long-Term Monitoring and Support
   
   Recovery timelines vary, and some individuals develop persistent post-concussion symptoms. Rehabilitation physicians provide long-term follow-up, adjusting treatment plans as needed to optimise function and quality of life.
   

By overseeing medical and rehabilitation strategies, rehabilitation physicians play an integral role in ensuring patients receive comprehensive, multidisciplinary care tailored to their unique recovery journey. Their expertise enhances symptom resolution, facilitates safe return to normal activities, and reduces the risk of long-term complications.