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HeadCheck app

This app is likely to be helpful if you've had medical clearance, or if you're suffering from a minor concussion and your healthcare provider feels you don't need a referral to a full concussion service.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, there's an ACC funded concussion programme, so it's advisable to talk to your healthcare provider about this first before using a concussion app.

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HeadCheck app	By Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
	Features Diary/Journal – Allows you to answer daily questions on symptoms and add additional info. Tracking – Tracking and monitoring symptoms, and performance across different domains. Reports – Reflect progress in symptoms over time. Graphs. Reminders (eg. setting a reminder at 11am each day to take medication).
Country of origin	Australia
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes Require a login? Yes Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link)

The HeadCheck app is designed to help in the early management of concussion. You have the opportunity to answer a series of questions regarding the details of your injury, the length of time since your injury, and a range of questions related to your symptoms. Once this information has been collected the app provides you with a concussion recovery treatment plan.

Note: The HeadCheck app is likely to be helpful if you've already had medical clearance, or if you have a minor concussion that your healthcare provider feels doesn’t need referral to a full concussion service. In Aotearoa New Zealand, a GP can refer an individual directly into an ACC-funded concussion service. This programme is fully-funded, and does not require a surcharge. Therefore, if you're looking for a concussion treatment plan, it's strongly recommended that you discuss this with your GP first, as opposed to turning to an app first. It's important that an app isn't used instead of seeking medical advice.

For the complete app description, go to Google Play(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ A comprehensive questionnaire ensures that you're reflecting on and answering questions related to a variety of symptoms. ✔ The advice given, although to a degree generic, is wise, and would be similar to that given by a health provider. ✔ Clear medical disclaimers, and the need to seek medical advice is well outlined. ✔ Log in and access for trainers, with the ability for them to transfer the care over to parents/family.	✘ Some limitations in the Aotearoa New Zealand environment (described in more detail above). ✘ There is a limitation to how effective a treatment programme can be when delivered via an app. Concussion is a unique injury where the exact presentation, and treatment approach can vary significantly. By way of context, under the New Zealand ACC Concussion Service, an initial assessment session takes place and, following triage, a treatment plan is developed which would involve some combination of physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, neuropsychologist or medical specialist care. The nature of specific face-to-face assessments that take place as part of the triage, and the individualised treatment needed, make it difficult for an app to replicate a quality treatment approach.

PROS

CONS

✔ A comprehensive questionnaire ensures that you're reflecting on and answering questions related to a variety of symptoms.

✔ The advice given, although to a degree generic, is wise, and would be similar to that given by a health provider.

✔ Clear medical disclaimers, and the need to seek medical advice is well outlined.

✔ Log in and access for trainers, with the ability for them to transfer the care over to parents/family.

✘ Some limitations in the Aotearoa New Zealand environment (described in more detail above).

✘ There is a limitation to how effective a treatment programme can be when delivered via an app. Concussion is a unique injury where the exact presentation, and treatment approach can vary significantly. By way of context, under the New Zealand ACC Concussion Service, an initial assessment session takes place and, following triage, a treatment plan is developed which would involve some combination of physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, neuropsychologist or medical specialist care. The nature of specific face-to-face assessments that take place as part of the triage, and the individualised treatment needed, make it difficult for an app to replicate a quality treatment approach.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Chris Lawrence, Community Physiotherapist
Date of review: July 2024
Platform: Android
Version: 2.2.28
Comments: Overall, this is a good app for concussion advice and treatment recovery.
My strong recommendation would be that if you have had a concussion, you should seek face-to-face input. However, if you needed an app for that input, this would be a good one to use, in the knowledge that the advice provided is very sound.
Safety concerns: There are some general concerns around using an app to provide medical advice and treatment plans. You hope that an app is clear in what it can provide, and where the boundaries of what can be provided through an app are. This app is very well done in that regard. From the initial screen at sign on, the app makes it clear that it's not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment.
There were several occasions while using the app where I answered that I hadn’t been diagnosed with concussion, but then reported some moderate symptoms, and the app advised me to seek medical intervention. This was really positive, and I feel that safety concerns are well addressed in this app.
New Zealand relevance: Yes
Concerns: There are some limitations to the NZ context:
1. Where you need more urgent medical intervention, it advises you to ‘Call 000’.

2. The app doesn't have knowledge of the Aotearoa New Zealand healthcare system, and the resources available following concussion (such as the ACC funded Concussion programme, or ACC Sport Smart references).
For more information about the ACC Concussion service, refer to the Healthify concussion page.

Consumer guide – how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide – how to choose a health app
New Zealand-based apps
NZ Health App Library
Concussion
Concussion information for rugby coaches
Concussion apps

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.