Psychological symptoms in rural road trauma victims

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Risk Factor for Poor Work Outcomes in Survivors of Road Trauma

Risk factors associated with post-injury return to work are well documented. Less is known of the impact of PTSD on work outcomes. Information on worker and accident risk factors was obtained by survey, hospital records and personal interview with 40 road trauma survivors two years post-accident: Results suggest that while PTSD was an independent risk factor for negative work outcomes, PTSD also significantly contributed to the overall adverse impact of anxiety, depression and pain on work outcomes. The lack of improvement in work outcomes between from 12 weeks post-accident for those with PTSD indicated that early vocational interventions are critical for this population.

Life beyond severe traumatic injury: an integrative review of the literature

It is only recently that recognition of the serious and debilitating sequelae of trauma has prompted exploration of outcomes beyond survival, such as disability, health status and quality of life. This paper aims to review the literature describing outcomes following severe traumatic injury to provide clinicians with a greater understanding of the recovery trajectory following severe trauma and highlight the issues faced by those recovering from such injury. Electronic databases, published reference lists and the Internet were searched to identify relevant literature. The heterogeneous nature of published literature in this area prohibited a systematic approach to inclusion of papers in this review. Trauma survivors report significant sequelae that influence functional status, psychological wellbeing, quality of life and return to productivity following severe injury. Key themes that emerge from the review include: current trauma systems which provide inadequate support along the recovery trajectory; rehabilitation referral which is affected by geographical location and provider preferences; a long-term loss of productivity in both society and the workplace; a high incidence of psychological sequelae; a link between poor recovery and increased drug and alcohol consumption; and valued social support which can augment recovery. Future research to evaluate interventions which target the recovery needs of the severely injured patients is recommended. Particular emphasis is required to develop systematic, sustainable and cost-effective follow-up to augment the successes of existing acute trauma services in providing high quality acute resuscitation and definitive trauma management.

Predicting who suffers psychological trauma in the first year after a road accident

This study followed up a cohort (n = 72) of consecutive road accident attendees to hospital for one year, assessing them soon after the accident and 3, 6 and 12 months later with the General Health Questionnaire (28-item version); Impact of Event Scale and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Interview. The aim of the study was to identify demographic, accident and subjective reality variables that could predict who was likely to suffer psychological disorder in the future. The extent of injury was a particular focus for the study. Results showed that at different time periods, using stepwise, multiple regression analyses, between 12 and 77% of variance in trauma measures could be predicted. Severity of injury was a stronger predictor longer after the accident.