Our researchers at the Kolling Institute have spent close to 20 years assessing the true impact of road traffic injuries and the best way to help people get back to work after a crash.
The work by the team from the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research has not only highlighted the lingering effect of road accidents, but directly influenced reforms to the CTP injury compensation scheme in NSW.
Centre Director Professor Ian Cameron said catastrophic injuries like brain and spinal cord injuries are well recognised, but there is less understanding of the long-term impact following less severe injuries.
“From our research, we know that most people recover well in the early months after a less severe road traffic injury, but others struggle to recover and go on to develop chronic health problems, psychological distress and impairment,” he said.
“Our longitudinal studies have shown that long-term challenges like pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression are common two years after a non-catastrophic road traffic injury, and even in groups where there were no similar problems before the accident.”
The findings show that 21 per cent of people reported clinically significant pain two years after their injury, while 25 per cent had depressive symptoms and 9 per cent had ongoing psychological distress.
“Just over 80 per cent of people had returned to work on full duties, but that meant close to 20 per cent weren’t able to return to what they were doing before their crash. This represents a significant loss,” said Professor Cameron.
While the research measured the ripple effects, importantly, it also informed legislative changes in NSW.
“Our investigations showed that protracted and stressful injury compensation processes compounded the impacts of the crash,” said Professor Cameron.
“We also found that the reforms to the CTP compensation scheme like early access to care, treatment and income support regardless of fault in the crash, were reducing psychological distress and pain.
“Our research helped to develop best practice guidelines which included early interventions for people who were more vulnerable and at greater risk of poor outcomes.
“We’re pleased to see that a 20-year collaboration with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority has contributed to a scheme with better health outcomes for those injured in crashes.
“We will continue to work with the authority as the compensation scheme is consistently refined and evaluated.”
The remarkable commitment has been recognised by the Kolling Institute’s Academic Director Professor James Elliott, who congratulated the renowned research team on 20 years of impactful work supporting the health and wellbeing of the many Australians injured on our roads.
“Their research has helped to drive positive change, improving road safety initiatives and health outcomes for those injured,” he said.
“We would like to acknowledge the very generous support from our colleagues at the State Insurance Regulatory Authority and we look forward to the next 20 years and beyond.”