The nature of road safety research means it is often large scale and anonymous with the emphasis on reduction of injury severity through safety measures or innovative car design. In recent years there has been a rise in research examining the functional outcomes of trauma patients with some studies having a particular emphasis on lower extremity injuries [Holbrook, Anderson, Sieber et al. 1998, Holbrook, Anderson, Sieber et al. 1999, Butcher, MacKenzie, Cushing et al. 1996, McCarthy and MacKenzie 2001]. In studies where emphasis is placed on examining particular injuries, there is an expectation that such injury types determine functional outcome. Thus little emphasis is placed on other injury types and the effects these separately and collectively have on the individual. This study is exploratory in nature and aims to examine the psychosocial and physical effects on individuals, regardless of injury type who were involved in a road crash. The study aims to explore the changes relating to the individual over a one year period immediately following the crash. (Author/publisher)
Abstract