Why is this study important?
Injuries to the head, such as concussion, are very common. In many cases people recover quickly. In some cases, people can have on-going symptoms and their recovery can take longer.
We know that people can find it difficult to get help if they do not recover quickly. To try and make it easier for people to access help, we will test a new assessment process in the emergency department. The process aims to identify people who may be at risk of a delayed recovery to ensure they are referred for follow-up.
It is hoped that this new process will help clinicians to get people the right care at the right time.
What will happen?
There are four hospitals taking part in this study (Middlemore, Nelson Marlborough, Wellington and Queenstown). If you are an adult who sustained a head injury and visited one of these emergency departments you may be contacted by a member of staff at the hospital to see if you would like to take part.
If you are interested they will connect you to a researcher will can answer any questions that you have and provide more information for you. If you decide to take part the researcher will arrange a time to talk to you at one and six months after your injury to see how you are doing. This follow up can be done over the phone, via teleconference, online or in some cases in person.
We will then compare how people recovered before and after the new approach to see if there is any improvement.
Please contact Jason Chua on Jason.chua@aut.ac.nz or phone/text 021965188 if you have any questions.
