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Preventing subsequent injuries: A feasibility study

Year:
2021
Duration:
30 months
Approved budget:
$249,995.79
Researchers:
Dr Helen Harcombe
,
Mr David Barson
,
Professor Sarah Derrett
,
Professor Emma Wyeth
,
Dr Brett Maclennan
Health issue:
Injury (intentional and unintentional)
Proposal type:
Feasibility Study
Lay summary
Injuries are costly not only to those injured and their families but also to wider society. In 2018/19, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC, New Zealand’s no-fault injury insurer) spent $4.4 billion supporting injured people and received two million new injury claims. Concerningly, a substantial proportion of those injured experience subsequent injury events; 38% of an entitlement claims cohort had at least one subsequent ACC injury claim in the next twelve months. Preventing subsequent injuries, among people who have been injured, is an opportunity to reduce the overall injury burden. Our study will test the feasibility of an ‘injury liaison’ telephone intervention. The intervention has arisen from the findings of our previous quantitative and qualitative research and aims to support injured people e.g. to access services and complete their rehabilitation as appropriate. By optimising recovery pathways and reducing subsequent injuries, this project offers a currently untapped targeted injury prevention intervention opportunity.