Pilot Study of the Long-term Effects of Road Crashes

Federal Office of Road Safety - Contract Report 116

Abstract:

This pilot study was undertaken to identify the types of long-term consequences to people involved inroad trauma, comprising physical, psychological and social disabilities, impairments, as well as community and financial hardships. In addition, it aimed to develop the mast appropriate methodology for collecting data. A literature review was initially undertaken to highlight previous studies undertaken on outcome measures as well as to provide background information. A mass database was constructed of injury compensation data at the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria for the years 1987 to 1988 to understand the level of data available and to identify target groups of road trauma patients. In addition, a questionnaire format was developed after deliberations with experts in the field of rehabilitation and long-term care of road trauma victim. The questionnaire was administered by telephone to 26 patients who had previously been involved in the MUARC Vehicle Occupant Protection Study and who had given their consent to be interviewed. This report describes the findings of the mass data combined with the findings from the questionnaire and discusses a range of data collection methodologies suitable to conduct a larger scale study on the long-term outcomes of road trauma.