The principal activities in the whiplash field in The Netherlands in 1994 and 1995 are briefly dealt with. It seems that various institutes and persons are involved in aspects of this neck injury problem. Whiplash as an injury mechanism and the related factors are considered in greater detail. This is based on two contributions of the SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research staff members to the whiplash literature. Whiplash and its consequences represent a complex phenomenon involving medical, technical and legal disciplines. This explains why a fairly large number of different institutes and persons have developed activities that generally show little relationship to each other. There is a lag in whiplash There is a lag in whiplash knowledge on all fronts. It seems that Dutch insurers, for whom whiplash injuries represent a large proportion of the total damage claims, have realised a certain degree of coordination concerning research and other activities. The role of the SWOV as a research institute, gatherer of knowledge, and advisor is described. It is indicated how the current lag in whiplash knowledge can be caught up. (A)
Samenvatting