Purpose: Wearing protective helmets decreases the risk to incur traumatic brain injury (TBI) in bicycle accidents. In 2007 the German Neurosurgical Society advocated compulsory use of bicycle-helmets. Although, neurosurgeons are the specialists who primarily treat patients with TBI in Europe, the distribution of helmet users among neurosurgeons (NS) as well as factors which influence the decision to wear helmets and whether professional knowledge or experience in TBI influences the use or attitude concerning bicycle-helmets remains unclear. Methods: 55 neurosurgical departments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland were addressed and asked to answer anonymous questionnaires concerning helmet use and TBI experience. To compare the neurosurgical attitude with that of a "non-neurosurgical- non-TBI-educated" control group, people of the general public (PUB) were interviewed. Results: 465 NS and 546 PUB returned questionnaires. 49.7% of the NS and 44.5% of PUB wear helmets while bicycling. Trauma experience did scarcely effect personal decision to wear bicycle-helmets. However, support of compulsory use was influenced by TBI experience. Furthermore, the incidence of helmet use in children was correlated to actual helmet use and disposition of their parents to make helmet use compulsory. Conclusions: NS and PUB behave similar. Only half wear protective helmets, while the others show cognitive dissonant behaviour. With respect to compulsory helmet use NS are also split in half. Experience with TBI and trauma education have effects, however, education alone seems not to suffice to promote bicycle-helmets.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0897-7151 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2009.1130 ID - ref1 ER -