Predictors of poor health and functional recovery following road trauma: protocol of a British Columbian inception cohort study

Abstract

IntroductionRoad trauma (RT) is a major public health problem affecting physical and mental health, and may result in prolonged absenteeism from work or study. It is important for healthcare providers to know which RT survivors are at risk of a poor outcome, and policy-makers should know the associated costs. Unfortunately, outcome after RT is poorly understood, especially for RT survivors who are treated and released from an emergency department (ED) without the need for hospital admission. Currently, there is almost no research on risk factors for a poor outcome among RT survivors. This study will use current Canadian data to address these knowledge gaps.Methods and analysisWe will follow an inception cohort of 1500 RT survivors (16 years and older) who visited a participating ED within 24 hours of the accident. Baseline interviews determine pre-existing health and functional status, and other potential risk factors for a poor outcome. Follow-up interviews at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months (key stages of recovery) use standardised health-related quality of life tools to determine physical and mental health outcome, functional recovery, and healthcare resource use and lost productivity costs.Ethics and disseminationThe Road Trauma Outcome Study is approved by our institutional Research Ethics Board. This study aims to provide healthcare providers with knowledge on how quickly RT survivors recover from their injuries and who may be more likely to have a poor outcome. We anticipate that this information will be used to improve management of all road users following RT. Healthcare resource use and lost productivity costs will be collected to provide a better cost estimate of the effects of RT. This information can be used by policy-makers to make informed decisions on RT prevention programmes.

Demographic and clinical profile of an inception cohort of road trauma survivors

“…For participants unable to provide consent (e.g., comatose), proxy consent was obtained from a designated caregiver. Detailed methods for recruitment and study procedures have been published previously [ 42 ].…”

Circumstances and outcome of active transportation injuries: protocol of a British Columbian inception cohort study

“…These hospitals serve rural, suburban and urban populations similar to those served by other trauma centres across Canada. The ATICO study uses similar methods for recruitment and follow-up as the Road Trauma Outcome Study (RTOS), an inception cohort study that investigated outcome following a motor vehicle collision 42 43. The ATICO study differs from the RTOS, in that it includes only people with ATIs and it gathers details about the circumstances of the injury event.…”