Citation

Mayou R, Bryant B. Br. J. Psychiatry 2001; 179: 528-534.

Affiliation

Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11731357

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the consequences of road traffic accidents. AIMS: To determine psychological and social outcome at 3 months and 1 year following a road traffic accident. METHOD: A cohort study of a 1-year sample of consecutive attenders (n=1148) aged 17-69 years at the accident and emergency department of a teaching district general hospital (excluding major head injury). Data were extracted from medica notes and from self-report at baseline, 3 months and 1 year. RESULTS: Most (61%) injuries were physically minor. At 1 year 45% reported major physical problems and 32% reported psychiatric consequences. Non-injury variables were the principal predictors of outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome across a range of variables is considerably worse than would be expected from the nature of the physical injuries. There is a need for changes in clinical care and socio-legal policy to prevent, identify and treat distressing and disabling chronic problems.

Language: en