 There are new developments going on down under in a bid to help more people understand the nature of whiplash injury and whiplash claims.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new online learning programme designed to support general practitioners and other members of the practice team in dealing with and managing whiplash associated disorders.
The RACGP as an institution is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, training and education and research in Australian general practice. This establishment has the biggest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and it represents the majority of Australia’s general practitioners.
Whiplash Educational Programme
The scheme was developed in conjunction with the University of Sydney with an educational grant for the Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales and is now available through the organisations website. The idea behind the activity being launched on the web proves that it will reach out to more people.
Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President and GP in Northern New South Wales stated: “General practitioners often see and manage whiplash patients and we are also often asked to provide insurance and other medicolegal reports on patient outcomes," said Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President, and GP in Northern NSW.
"This new education module provides an interactive and practical approach to accurately classifying whiplash associated disorders and prescribing the current recommended treatments for acute whiplash associated disorders in general practice. As it is available online, GPs can complete this learning activity anywhere at any time.”
Whiplash – A Common Personal Injury
Acting General Manager of the Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales, Carmel Donnelly revealed that whiplash injuries and other associated disorders are the single most frequently recorded personal injury among people who have been injured in car accidents who then go onto to file a compensation claim.
Whiplash injury contributes to 45% of all claims and accounts for around 27% of total costs to the scheme.
It is hoped that by the end of the programme participants should be able to firstly - correctly classify whiplash associated disorders. Secondly – indentify the circumstances under which cervical spine X- ray should be requested. Finally - identify whiplash associated disorders patients with potentially poor prognosis. Therefore, they should then be able to prescribe the present recommended treatments for whiplash injury.Updated on 29/10/2008
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