Rehabilitation Studies Unit, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Inj Prev. 2011 Aug;17(4):222-7. doi: 10.1136/ip.2010.029546. Epub 2010 Nov 11.
To explore the factors that influence recovery from serious injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes, particularly differences between those with compensable and non-compensable injuries.
Qualitative study using grounded theory and focus group methods within the trauma service of a university teaching hospital.
34 subjects (27 male, 7 female), of whom 21 were participants with a compensation claim and 13 were not. Each had sustained injuries in motor vehicle crashes between two and seven years previously.
Themes identified from transcripts of the focus groups.
The themes identified from participants claiming compensation were a strong sense of entitlement and injustice, a difficult claims and settlement process, an inability to move on with life during the claims process, an extreme dislike of medico-legal assessments, the necessity of legal representation to assist with the claims process, and a perceived lack of trust about having to prove an injury or disability. The themes common to all participants were the significance of the trauma experience, the importance of family and social support, and, if self-employed, financial hardship and difficult experiences in returning to work.
The injury recovery experience was difficult for all subjects, but it was particularly stressful for those claiming compensation. Based on this study, the claims process, particularly medico-legal examinations, and other factors that could impact on injury recovery, are targets for further research, possible policy review, or legislative change.
探讨影响机动车事故重伤康复的因素，特别是可补偿性和不可补偿性损伤之间的差异。
在一所大学教学医院创伤科，使用扎根理论和焦点小组方法进行的定性研究。
34 名受试者（27 名男性，7 名女性），其中 21 名是有赔偿要求的参与者，13 名没有。他们都在两年至七年前的机动车事故中受伤。
焦点小组记录的主题。
有赔偿要求的参与者确定的主题是强烈的权利感和不公正感、困难的索赔和解决过程、在索赔过程中无法继续生活、极度不喜欢医学法律评估、需要法律代表协助索赔过程，以及对证明受伤或残疾的必要性缺乏信任。所有参与者共有的主题是创伤经历的重要性、家庭和社会支持的重要性，如果是自雇人士，则经济困难和重返工作岗位的困难经历。
所有受试者的康复经历都很困难，但有赔偿要求的受试者压力更大。基于这项研究，索赔过程，特别是医学法律检查，以及其他可能影响伤害康复的因素，是进一步研究、可能的政策审查或立法改革的目标。
