Dr Mark Ralfe

21/08/2026

Hi everyone, here's the latest in-depth concussion course for doctors based on the new ANZ Concussion Guidelines developed over the last couple of years. Yours truly features in one of the education module videos. Fair warning.

https://www.connectivity.org.au/courses/for-general-practitioners-only-concussion-assessment-diagnosis-and-management-course/

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Concussion Assessment, Diagnosis and Management CPD course for GPs

Concussion is a common presentation in general practice, but diagnosis, assessment and management can be complex — particularly as advice and best practice continue to evolve.

Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia has developed a new online course specifically for Australian GPs - Concussion: Assessment, Diagnosis and Management.

Based on the ANZ Concussion Guidelines and developed in collaboration with leading Australian clinicians and researchers, the course provides practical, evidence-based guidance that GPs can apply in everyday practice.

The course covers:

Recognising, assessing and diagnosing concussion
Red flags, neuroimaging and referral
Early management and graded return to activity
Managing persisting symptoms
Headache, sleep, fatigue, mental health and cognitive difficulties
Repeat concussion and potential long-term effects

The course is accredited by the RACGP and ACRRM for 2.5 hours of Educational Activities CPD and is delivered entirely online and for free, allowing GPs to complete it at their own pace.

Participants also receive practical resources and patient handouts to support concussion management in clinical practice.

To find out more and enrol in the course GPs can follow the below link:
https://www.connectivity.org.au/courses/for-general-practitioners-only-concussion-assessment-diagnosis-and-management-course/

Concussion: Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Course For GPs, understanding the complexity of concussion is essential, as primary care is often the first point of contact for many concussion patients. A...

07/08/2026

Hi All 2 things 1. FIFA on-field assessment update and some food for thought on a fairly quick rule-out tests for concussion. FIFA have developed a 3-minute standardised on-field concussion test. SMA national hosted the FIFA update a couple of nights ago. Info https://inside.fifa.com/health-and-medical/focus
2. Big GINA acute asthma care update the night after this. Apparently biggest shakeup in 50 years for asthma management. Biggest basic message: blue puffers out - always use combined ICS-short onset LABA. Update on a Limbic webinar. Big push for combination formoterol MDIs - issue potentially for WADA/ASADA for maximum drug dosages if Symbicort is the only puffer being encouraged over the next few years. Upside is much fewer exacerbations. Interestingly, also down-regulation of B2 receptors with heavy blue puffer use, such as in a down-titration regimen post-flare.

The official site of the international governing body of football with news, national associations, competitions, results, fixtures, development, organisation, world rankings, statistics, the International Football Association Board, history, laws of the game, futsal, publications, downloads, and co...

08/07/2026

Interesting take in Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02097-0 on the hydration breaks at the FIFA World Cup. Active cooling, cold drinks, and shade are needed not just a short rest and a slurp of warm Powerade. Link to World Rugby Heat guidelines as well. https://www.world.rugby/media-zone/advisory/1001055

Inappropriate use of cooling breaks in sport is undermining trust in heat-health research.

13/05/2026

Great podcast from Phil and Bazz interviewing Jen Williams. Mental health tips, leadership on the sports field, and how to be a better coach. All covered in great detail. Well done!

Jenny Williams OAM joins Phil Smyth on Sporting Spotlight for a brilliant conversation about sport, mental health, pressure, coaching and what really helps a...

23/01/2026

The new Sports Medicine Australia /University if Sydney heat tool shows extreme heat stress risk in Adelaide over Saturday. Uses location and sport type to estimate chance of heat illness. Remember you can be well hydrated and still get heat stroke. Useful for administrators /cuaches and parents

sma-heat-policy.sydney.edu.au

04/11/2025

From sports field emergency through to rehabilitation, Wakefield Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic is there for you every step of the way. Whether you're seeking assistance in overcoming an injury or wishing to develop a program to improve your physical and mental well-being, we're committed to ke...

04/11/2025

Hi Everyone. A few spots are open tomorrow at the clinic 82325833 Be well and enjoy the week!

From sports field emergency through to rehabilitation, Wakefield Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic is there for you every step of the way. Whether you're seeking assistance in overcoming an injury or wishing to develop a program to improve your physical and mental well-being, we're committed to ke...

21/10/2025

Here's a link to a couple of the talks I gave at the MSK Australia conference on Bali a couple of months ago. Thanks to Dan and Matt for allowing the share. https://vimeo.com/1105029233/87342b2c7a?ts=0&share=copy
https://vimeo.com/1105429520/6aa3419789?ts=0&share=copy

This is "GTPS Management" by MSK Australia on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

11/09/2025

Early days, but exciting research into concussions at the World Rugby level. Enjoy the ABC article on LED mouthguard detecting head impacts.

The Women's Rugby World Cup, currently being held in England, is trialling a revolutionary approach to concussion management. Players are wearing LED mouthguards which light up when a player sustains a hit that could result in a concussion.

15/03/2025

Dr Dan Bastock was a UK medical student here last year doing a sports medicine elective at Wakefield Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic. Dan just had an article published in the BASEM newsletter. Thanks for the mention, Dan. We've had a lot of local med students too and take extended skills registrars, so if sports medicine/MSK/exercise medicine interests you, give Wakefield a ring.