Outcome in consecutive emergency department attenders following a road traffic accident.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the consequences of road traffic accidents.

AIMS

To determine psychological and social outcome at 3 months and 1 year following a road traffic accident.

METHOD

A cohort study of a 1-year sample of consecutive attenders (n=1148) aged 17-69 years at the accident and emergency department of a teaching district general hospital (excluding major head injury). Data were extracted from medica notes and from self-report at baseline, 3 months and 1 year.

RESULTS

Most (61%) injuries were physically minor. At 1 year 45% reported major physical problems and 32% reported psychiatric consequences. Non-injury variables were the principal predictors of outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Outcome across a range of variables is considerably worse than would be expected from the nature of the physical injuries. There is a need for changes in clinical care and socio-legal policy to prevent, identify and treat distressing and disabling chronic problems.