New Zealand's Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study-10 years on (POIS-10): descriptive outcomes to 12 years post-injury.

BACKGROUND: The 'Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study-10 years on' (POIS-10) aims to contribute to improving long-term disability, health and well-being outcomes for injured New Zealanders. This brief report describes recruitment, characteristics and key outcomes to 12 years post-injury. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2009, the study recruited 2856 people, including 566 Maori, from New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation's entitlement claims register. People experienced a range of injury types, causes and settings; 25% had been hospitalised for their injury. POIS-10 data were primarily collected via interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the original participants, 2068 (92%) were eligible for follow-up in POIS-10. Of these, 1543 (75%) people participated between March 2020 and July 2021, including 240 Maori. Half of the participants (n=757; 50%) reported ongoing problems attributed to their injury 12 years earlier. Most reported difficulties with items assessing disability (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II). For health-related quality of life (HRQoL), measured using the EQ-5D-5L, the prevalence of problems was higher 12 years post-injury compared with 12 months post-injury for four of five dimensions. Importantly, the prevalence of problems did not reduce to pre-injury levels for any HRQoL dimension. DISCUSSION: POIS-10 highlights the importance of early post-injury interventions to improve health, disability and well-being outcomes of injured New Zealanders.

Opportunities for preventing subsequent injuries: a qualitative study exploring perspectives of people who have experienced injuries.

AIM: This study aims to examine opportunities for subsequent injury prevention from the perspectives of people who have recently experienced subsequent injury events. METHODS: This qualitative study involved individual semi-structured interviews with people who had >2 injury events in the previous 12 months. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis undertaken. RESULTS: Sixteen interviews were completed with participants who had experienced a range of index and subsequent injury types. Potential opportunities raised were wide-ranging. Some related to individuals, e.g., motivation to carry out prevention strategies. Other opportunities were related to healthcare providers and the health system. For instance, increasing consultation times to allow a focus on subsequent injury prevention, building rapport and tailoring their approach to the individual, proactively referring people to a range of healthcare providers, and ensuring people are aware of resources and supports available following injury. Broader environmental and societal opportunities were also suggested, such as ensuring adequate social support following injury, ensuring accessibility to rehabilitation and community facilities and the modification of built environments. CONCLUSION: A broad range of potential opportunities to prevent subsequent injuries were raised. These opportunities are promising and future research to trial interventions raised in this study is warranted to determine their feasibility and effectiveness.

Trends in BMI of Indonesian adults between 1993 and 2014: a longitudinal population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the trajectories of BMI in Indonesian adults from 1993 to 2014, investigating different patterns by sex and birth cohort. DESIGN: Longitudinal study: secondary data analysis of the Indonesian Family Life Survey, a large-scale population-based longitudinal study, had their height and weight measured up to five times throughout the 21-year study period (1993-2014). The change in BMI across time was estimated using group-based trajectory models, then differences by sex and birth cohort were investigated using random effect (mixed) models. SETTING: Thirteen out of twenty-seven provinces in Indonesia. PARTICIPANTS: Indonesian adults aged 19 years and older (n 42 537) were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Mean BMI in adults increased between 1993 (21·4 kg/m2) and 2014 (23·5 kg/m2). The group-based trajectory model found three distinct groups with mean BMI increasing more rapidly in the most recent time periods. The first group (56·7 % of participants) had a mean BMI entirely within the normal weight range; the second group (34·7 %) started in the normal weight category and were obese, on average by the end of the study period; and the third group (8·6 %) were always in the obese category, on average. The shape of these three trajectories differed by gender (P < 0·001) and birth cohort (P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: The mean BMI among Indonesian adults has increased between 1993 and 2014, driven by those in the most recent birth cohorts. Our findings support the urgent need for targeted overweight and obesity prevention and intervention programmes in Indonesia.

Predictors of hospital readmission after trauma: A retrospective cohort study in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding predictors of hospital readmission following major trauma is important as readmissions are costly and some are potentially avoidable. This study describes the incidence of, and sociodemographic, injury-related and treatment-related factors predictive of, hospital readmission related to: a) all-causes, b) the index trauma injury, and c) subsequent injury events in the 30 days and 12 months following discharge for major trauma patients nationally in New Zealand. METHODS: Data from the New Zealand Trauma Registry (NZTR) was linked with Ministry of Health hospital discharge data. Hospital readmissions were examined for all patients entered into the NZTR for an injury event between 1 January and 31 December 2018. Readmissions were examined for the 12-months following the discharge date for participant's index trauma injury. RESULTS: Of 1986 people, 42% had ≥1 readmission in the 12 months following discharge; 15% within 30 days. Seven percent had ≥1 readmission related to the index trauma within 30 days of discharge; readmission was 3.43 (95% CI 1.87, 6.29) times as likely if the index trauma was self-inflicted compared to unintentional, and 1.64 (95% CI 1.15, 2.34) times as likely if the index trauma involved intensive care unit admission. Those admitted to hospital for longer for their index trauma were less likely to be readmitted due to their index trauma injury within 30 days compared to those admitted for 0-1 day. Seventeen percent were readmitted for a subsequent injury event within 12 months, with readmission more likely for older people (>65 years), those with comorbidities, Maori compared with non-Maori and those with higher trauma injury severity. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of people are readmitted after discharge for major trauma. Factors identified in this study will be useful to consider when developing interventions to reduce preventable readmissions including those related to the index trauma injury, readmissions from other causes and subsequent injury-related readmissions. Further research specifically examining planned and unplanned readmissions is warranted.

Life satisfaction 18 months and 10 years following spinal cord injury: results from a New Zealand prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To examine the life satisfaction outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify the factors associated with life satisfaction at 18 months and 10 years post-SCI in New Zealand (NZ). METHODS: Adults (16-64 years) were recruited between 2007 and 2009 from NZ's two spinal units following first admission for SCI. Interviews at 6 months, 18 months, and 10 years post-SCI examined demographic, physical, psychosocial, economic, and environmental characteristics. Multivariable regression models were used to identify predictors of life satisfaction at each timepoint. RESULTS: Overall, 118 people participated at 6 months, 103 at 18 months, and 63 at 10 years post-SCI. Pre-SCI, 90% of participants were satisfied with life, 67% were satisfied at 18 months, and 78% at 10 years. At 18 months post-SCI, participants who reported: never or sometimes using a wheelchair, no problems with self-care, no problems with anxiety or depression, no/lesser disability, or fewer secondary health conditions (SHCs) at 6 months post-SCI were more likely to be satisfied (p < 0.05), compared to those without these characteristics. Participants who experienced considerable disability at 6 months post-SCI were 22% less likely to be satisfied 10 years post-SCI compared to those experiencing no/lesser disability (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: A higher proportion of participants were satisfied at both 18 months and 10 years post-SCI than not satisfied. To improve the likelihood of satisfaction with life, increased focus on reducing disability and providing supports for those using wheelchairs, experiencing anxiety/depression or problems with self-care, and effects of SHCs are promising for future potential interventions.

Does support received for subsequent injuries differ between Maori and non-Maori? Findings from a cohort study of injured New Zealanders.

AIMS: To examine if differences exist between injured Maori and non-Maori in accessing and receiving support from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) for treatment and rehabilitation of subsequent injuries. METHODS: This cohort study utilised participants' self-reported data from the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study, and ACC claims data. RESULTS: Approximately one-third of Maori (32%) and non-Maori (35%) who self-reported a subsequent injury had no associated ACC claim. Statistically significant differences in this outcome (i.e., self-reported subsequent injury but no ACC claim) were found between Maori and non-Maori when comparing across occupation type and severity of participants' sentinel injuries. Few differences were observed between Maori and non-Maori in the percentages of ACC claims accepted that compensated various treatments and supports; this was similar for average compensation amounts provided. CONCLUSIONS: Maori and non-Maori who received support from ACC for a sentinel injury prior to sustaining another injury appear to have received equitable ACC compensation for the treatment and rehabilitation of the subsequent injury with two potential exceptions. Further research is needed to determine how generalisable these findings are. Establishing routine systems for collecting data about the support needed, treatment pathways and outcomes once accessing ACC support is vital to ensure positive and equitable injury outcomes for Maori.

Patterns of change of multisite pain over 1 year of follow-up and related risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Multisite musculoskeletal pain is common and disabling. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the distribution of musculoskeletal pain anatomically, and explore risk factors for increases/reductions in the number of painful sites. METHODS: Using data from participants working in 45 occupational groups in 18 countries, we explored changes in reporting pain at 10 anatomical sites on two occasions 14 months apart. We used descriptive statistics to explore consistency over time in the number of painful sites, and their anatomical distribution. Baseline risk factors for increases/reductions by ≥3 painful sites were explored by random intercept logistic regression that adjusted for baseline number of painful sites. RESULTS: Among 8927 workers, only 20% reported no pain at either time point, and 16% reported ≥3 painful sites both times. After 14 months, the anatomical distribution of pain often changed but there was only an average increase of 0.17 painful sites. Some 14% workers reported a change in painful sites by ≥3. Risk factors for an increase of ≥3 painful sites included female sex, lower educational attainment, having a physically demanding job and adverse beliefs about the work-relatedness of musculoskeletal pain. Also predictives were as follows: older age, somatizing tendency and poorer mental health (each of which was also associated with lower odds of reductions of ≥3 painful sites). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinally, the number of reported painful sites was relatively stable but the anatomical distribution varied considerably. These findings suggest an important role for central pain sensitization mechanisms, rather than localized risk factors, among working adults. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings indicate that within individuals, the number of painful sites is fairly constant over time, but the anatomical distribution varies, supporting the theory that among people at work, musculoskeletal pain is driven more by factors that predispose to experiencing or reporting pain rather than by localized stressors specific to only one or two anatomical sites.

Preventing subsequent injury: Healthcare providers' perspectives on untapped potential.

INTRODUCTION: Many individuals who experience an injury go on to have subsequent injuries. This study examined the views of health professionals about potential opportunities to prevent subsequent injuries. METHODS: Semi-structured individual interviews were held with a range of health professionals involved in treating injuries. Interviews examined opportunities for the prevention of subsequent injuries, particularly opportunities that may be implemented by health professionals. A thematic analysis of the data was undertaken. RESULTS: Thirteen health professionals were interviewed, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and emergency department staff. Opportunities to prevent subsequent injuries aligned with the Dahlgren-Whitehead model of health determinants, representing opportunities to focus on demographic factors (e.g. older adults), individual lifestyle factors (e.g. alcohol consumption), social and community networks (e.g. social isolation), living and working conditions (e.g. access to preventive healthcare), and general socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental conditions (e.g. changes in legislation). CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals identified a number of opportunities for subsequent injury prevention, ranging from individually oriented interventions to broader societal interventions. Within their roles, health professionals highlighted potential opportunities to provide education, modify attitudes, engage in multi-disciplinary teamwork, and serve as advocates. Use of these strategies could help to reduce the disability burden presented by subsequent injuries.

POIS-10 Maori: Outcomes and Experiences in the Decade Following Injury.

Injury-related disability burden extends well beyond two years post-injury, especially for Maori (Indigenous) New Zealanders. Maori also experience greater difficulty accessing health services. This prospective cohort study extension uses mixed-methods and aims to understand and identify factors contributing to long-term experiences and outcomes (positive and negative) at 12 years post-injury for injured Maori and their whanau (families), and explore the barriers and facilitators to whanau flourishing, and access to health and rehabilitation services. Five hundred and sixty-six Maori, who were injured between 2007-2009, participated in the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS). Of these, 544 consented to long-term follow up, and will be invited to participate in a POIS-10 Maori interview at 12 years post-injury. We anticipate a 65% follow-up rate (~n = 350). Aligned with the Meihana Model, interviews will collect information about multiple inter-related dimensions. Administrative injury and hospitalisation data up to 12 years post-injury will also be collected. Regression models will be developed to examine predictors of long-term health and disability outcomes, after adjusting for a range of confounders. POIS-10 Maori will identify key points in the injury and rehabilitation pathway to inform future interventions to improve post-injury outcomes for Maori and whanau, and will highlight the support required for Maori flourishing post-injury.

Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study 10 Years on (POIS-10): An Observational Cohort Study.

Injury is a leading cause of disability and is costly. This prospective cohort study extension aims to improve disability, health, and wellbeing outcomes for injured New Zealanders, including for Maori. We will identify predictors and modifiable risk factors of long-term outcomes (positive and negative), and develop an Injury Early Care Tool (INJECT) to inform the implementation of effective interventions to improve outcomes. In the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS), 2856 people participated following an injury (occurring between 2007 and 2009) registered with New Zealand's no-fault accident compensation scheme (ACC). POIS-10 will invite 2121 people (including 358 Maori) who completed a 24-month POIS interview and agreed to follow-up, anticipating 75% participation (n = 1591). Interviews will collect sociodemographic characteristics, life events, comorbidities, and new injuries since participants' 24-month interview, as well as key disability, health, and wellbeing outcomes 12 years post-injury. Injury-related data will be collected from ACC and hospitalisation records 12 years post-injury. Regression models for the main outcomes will examine the direct effects of predictor variables after adjustment for a wide range of confounders. POIS-10 is enhanced by our partnership with ACC, and expert advisors and will benefit injured people, including Maori, through increased understanding of mechanisms and interventions to improve long-term post-injury outcomes.

Predictors of subsequent injury for Maori in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: This paper identifies predictors of subsequent injury (SI) in a cohort of injured Maori. Interventions to reduce SI among indigenous populations would help overcome the disproportionate burden of subsequent injury experienced, thereby reducing inequities in injury outcomes and the overall burden of injury. METHODS: Interview data from the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS) were combined with Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC; New Zealand's universal no-fault injury insurer) and hospital discharge datasets. Any injury event resulting in an ACC claim and occurring within 24 months of the injury for which participants were recruited to POIS was considered an SI. This was regardless of whether it was the same type, region or cause as the original injury or not. Predictors of SI were identified using modified Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of 566 participants, 62% (n=349) experienced ≥1 SI in the 24 months following their sentinel injury. Maori whose sentinel injury was an intracranial injury were more likely to sustain an SI compared to those whose sentinel injury was another type. SI was less likely to occur for participants whose sentinel injury was a lower extremity fracture or classified as "Other" (e.g. crush, burn, poisoning). SI were more common among those aged 18-29 years compared to those aged 30-49 years, and less common among those living with family compared to those who were living alone. CONCLUSIONS: More research into the circumstances of intracranial injury and SI among Maori is warranted. This would help inform the nature of interventions to prevent SI and the points at which these should be implemented.

Predictors of subsequent injury at work: findings from a prospective cohort of injured workers in New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: People who have experienced a work-related injury can experience further work injuries over time. This study examines predictors of subsequent work-related injuries over 24 months among a cohort of injured workers. METHODS: Participants were those recruited to the earlier Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS) who had a work-related injury (the 'sentinel' injury). Data from POIS participant interviews were combined with administrative data from the Accident Compensation Corporation (New Zealand's no-fault universal injury insurer) and hospital discharge data. Modified Poisson regression modelling was used to examine whether presentinel injury sociodemographic and health, sentinel injury or presentinel injury work-related factors predicted subsequent work-related injuries. RESULTS: Over a third of participants (37%) had at least one subsequent work-related injury in 24 months. Factors associated with an increased risk of work-related subsequent injury included being in a job involving carrying or moving heavy loads more than half the time compared with those in jobs that never involved such tasks (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.01), having an inadequate household income compared with those with an adequate household income (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.02 1.74) and being aged 50-64 years compared with those aged 30-49 years (RR 1.25, 95% 1.00 to 1.57). CONCLUSION: Subsequent work-related injuries occur frequently, and presenting with a work-related injury indicates a potentially important intervention point for subsequent injury prevention. While the strength of associations were not strong, factors identified in this study that showed an increased risk of subsequent work-related injuries may provide a useful focus for injury prevention or rehabilitation attention.

Associations of sickness absence for pain in the low back, neck and shoulders with wider propensity to pain.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association of sickness absence ascribed to pain at specific anatomical sites with wider propensity to musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: As part of the CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study, potential risk factors for sickness absence from musculoskeletal pain were determined for 11 922 participants from 45 occupational groups in 18 countries. After approximately 14 months, 9119 (78%) provided follow-up information about sickness in the past month because of musculoskeletal pain, including 8610 who were still in the same job. Associations with absence for pain at specific anatomical sites were assessed by logistic regression and summarised by ORs with 95% CIs. RESULTS: 861 participants (10%) reported absence from work because of musculoskeletal pain during the month before follow-up. After allowance for potential confounders, risk of absence ascribed entirely to low back pain (n=235) increased with the number of anatomical sites other than low back that had been reported as painful in the year before baseline (ORs 1.6 to 1.7 for ≥4 vs 0 painful sites). Similarly, associations with wider propensity to pain were observed for absence attributed entirely to pain in the neck (ORs up to 2.0) and shoulders (ORs up to 3.4). CONCLUSIONS: Sickness absence for pain at specific anatomical sites is importantly associated with wider propensity to pain, the determinants of which extend beyond established risk factors such as somatising tendency and low mood. Better understanding of why some individuals are generally more prone to musculoskeletal pain might point to useful opportunities for prevention.

Predictors of severe or multiple subsequent injuries over 24 months among an already-injured cohort in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: Interventions to reduce subsequent injuries among already-injured people presenting to healthcare providers may reduce the overall burden of injury. However, in order to develop such interventions it is necessary to understand what predicts subsequent injuries. This knowledge is currently limited for general injury populations. This prospective Subsequent Injury Study aims to determine pre-injury sociodemographic and heath factors, and injury-related factors, that predict subsequent injury claims reported to Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC, New Zealand's universal injury insurer) in the 24 months following an ACC entitlement claim injury ('sentinel' injury). Two separate outcome variables were used to identify subsequent injuries of interest: having (1) at least one high severity injury claim (New Injury Severity Scores ≥4), or (2) two or more claims (injuries of any severity). METHODS: This study combines: (1) participant interviews (from our earlier Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study), (2) ACC data about sentinel injuries which led to participants being recruited, and all subsequent injuries involving an ACC claim in the 24 months following that sentinel injury, and (3) hospital discharge data for sentinel and subsequent injuries involving hospitalisation. Potential predictors (pre-sentinel injury sociodemographic and health variables, sentinel injury related variables) were identified using modified Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Severe and multiple ACC-reported subsequent injuries (ACC-SI) were each more likely to occur for participants with a self-reported prior injury affecting them at the time of their sentinel injury, and for those who prior to their sentinel injury event had pain/discomfort, or were physically active on five or more days of the week. A lower likelihood of severe or multiple ACC-SI was more common in those aged 30-64 years compared with those aged 18-29 years, those of 'other' ethnicity compared to sole New Zealand European ethnicity, and if the sentinel injury involved hospitalisation. Multiple ACC-SI were more likely for males, and for participants with ≥2 chronic conditions compared to those with none. CONCLUSIONS: Factors identified in this study may provide useful flags to help healthcare providers and policy makers identify people at increased risk of severe or multiple subsequent injuries who may benefit from targeted injury prevention strategies or interventions.

Determinants of international variation in the prevalence of disabling wrist and hand pain.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has indicated that wide international variation in the prevalence of disabling low back pain among working populations is largely driven by factors predisposing to musculoskeletal pain more generally. This paper explores whether the same applies to disabling wrist/hand pain (WHP). METHODS: Using data from the Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability (CUPID) study, we focused on workers from 45 occupational groups (office workers, nurses and other workers) in 18 countries. Among 11,740 participants who completed a baseline questionnaire about musculoskeletal pain and potential risk factors, 9082 (77%) answered a further questionnaire after a mean interval of 14 months, including 1373 (15%) who reported disabling WHP in the month before follow-up. Poisson regression was used to assess associations of this outcome with baseline risk factors, including the number of anatomical sites other than wrist/hand that had been painful in the 12 months before baseline (taken as an index of general propensity to pain). RESULTS: After allowance for other risk factors, the strongest associations were with general pain propensity (prevalence rate ratio for an index ≥6 vs. 0: 3.6, 95% confidence interval 2.9-4.4), and risk rose progressively as the index increased. The population attributable fraction for a pain propensity index > 0 was 49.4%. The prevalence of disabling WHP by occupational group ranged from 0.3 to 36.2%, and correlated strongly with mean pain propensity index (correlation coefficient 0.86). CONCLUSION: Strategies to prevent disability from WHP among working populations should explore ways of reducing general propensity to pain, as well as improving the ergonomics of occupational tasks.

Perspectives on preventing musculoskeletal injuries in nurses: A qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the perspectives of nursing and physiotherapy academics regarding techniques designed to prevent musculoskeletal pain and injury in nurses. BACKGROUND: High rates of musculoskeletal injuries are evident in nurses, yet there is an absence of research identifying effective interventions to address this problem. Exploring the perspectives of individuals with specialist knowledge in the area could help identify barriers to musculoskeletal injury prevention, and innovative strategies to investigate in future studies. DESIGN: Cross-sectional qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Between October-December 2017, group and individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. All interviews were audio-recorded. A thematic analysis was performed, with two researchers coding audio files using NVivo software. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Checklist was consulted to ensure complete reporting of all methods and findings. RESULTS: Nursing and physiotherapy academics (N = 10) were aware of a range of techniques to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in nurses, including education, equipment, health and safety policy and multi-disciplinary collaboration. However, several barriers to using these techniques were identified, including age, knowledge and availability of equipment, personal and contextual factors, staffing and time pressures. Several strategies were recommended for further investigation and implementation in clinical practice, such as the sharing of personal experiences, orthopaedic assessments and changes to workplaces that foster a culture of safety. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is required to reduce musculoskeletal pain and injury among nurses. This research should account for the barriers to current prevention strategies and consider investigating novel interventions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings highlight strategies for preventing musculoskeletal injuries among nurses that are likely to be most effective in clinical practice.

Implementation of a 'Joint Clinic' to resolve unmet need for orthopaedic services in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis: a program evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, principally affecting the older population. Highly prevalent, disabling diseases such as osteoarthritis strain the capacity of health systems, and can result in unmet need for services. The Joint Clinic was initiated to provide secondary care consultations and access to outpatient services for people with advanced hip or knee osteoarthritis, who were referred by their general practitioner for orthopaedic consultation but not offered an orthopaedic specialist appointment. METHODS: This longitudinal programme evaluation comprised four components: a proof-of-concept evaluation; an implementation evaluation; a process evaluation; and an outcomes evaluation. Interviews and surveys of general practitioners, staff, and patients were conducted pre- and post-implementation. Interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis was completed. In addition, Joint Clinic patient visits and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven primary care physicians (GPs) and 66 patients were surveyed, and 28 semi-structured interviews of hospital staff and GPs were conducted. Proof of concept was satisfied. Interim and final implementation evaluations indicated adherence to the concept model, high levels of acceptance of and confidence in the programme and its staff, and timely completion within budget. Process evaluation revealed positive impacts of the programme and positive stakeholder perceptions, with some weaknesses in communication to the outer context of primary care. The Joint Clinic saw a total of 637 patient visits during 2 years of operation. Unmet need was reduced by 90%. Patient and referring physician satisfaction was high. Hospital management confirmed that the programme will continue. CONCLUSIONS: This evaluation indicates that the Joint Clinic concept model is fit for purpose, functioned well within the organisation, and achieved its primary objective of reducing unmet need of secondary care consultation for those suffering advanced hip or knee osteoarthritis.

Subsequent injuries experienced by Maori: results from a 24-month prospective study in New Zealand.

AIM: Maori, the indigenous population of New Zealand, experience a disproportionate burden of injury compared to non-Maori. Injury burden can be exacerbated by subsequent injuries (injuries that occur after, but not necessarily because of, an earlier or 'sentinel' injury). Despite obligations under New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi, it appears no published studies have investigated subsequent injuries among Maori. This study aims to describe subsequent injuries experienced by Maori and reported to New Zealand's no-fault injury Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), and determine: the number and timing of subsequent injury (SI) claims reported to ACC in 24 months following a sentinel injury; the proportions experiencing ≥1 SI; and the nature of SIs. METHODS: The Subsequent Injury Study analysed interview, ACC and hospital discharge data. SIs were classified as injury events involving an ACC claim within 24 months of a sentinel injury. RESULTS: Of 566 participants, 349 (62%) experienced ≥1 SI in the 24 months post-sentinel injury. Those with moderate/high alcohol use, or cognitive difficulties, before the sentinel injury were more likely to experience SIs. Fewer SIs occurred between 0-3 months after a sentinel injury compared to later periods. Spine dislocations/sprains/strains were the most common SI type. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their descriptive nature, our findings point to both the complexity of SI and the need for a greater research, ACC and health service focus on SI if the burden of injury for Maori is to be truly addressed. That 62% of Maori who had already experienced a profound sentinel injury went on to experience ≥1 SIs reported to ACC within a 24-month period suggests that the burden is considerable, and that preventive opportunities are being missed. Additional analyses are now underway to investigate factors predicting SI, while accounting for potential confounders, in order to assist in the development of SI prevention initiatives for Maori at multiple points in the complex post-injury pathway.

Concordance between sentinel and subsequent injuries: A prospective study of injured New Zealanders.

OBJECTIVES: To describe: 1) settings, activities and types of injuries for an 'initial' (sentinel) injury and subsequent injuries over 24 months, and 2) concordance between sentinel and subsequent injury events. METHODS: Participants (n = 2856) were recruited to the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS) following their sentinel injury event, an injury event resulting in an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) entitlement claim. Subsequent injuries were those from additional ACC claims in the following 24 months. Injury settings, activities and types were from electronic ACC claims data. The risks of having a subsequent injury of the same type as the sentinel injury were estimated. RESULTS: Overall, 1653 (58%) participants had 3444 subsequent injury events in 24 months, resulting in 4470 injury diagnoses. Twenty one percent had at least one subsequent injury event of the same type as their sentinel injury; 33% with a spine sprain/strain had at least one subsequent spine sprain/strain. Many participants had at least one subsequent injury event at same setting (26%) as their sentinel injury; of note, 36% of participants whose sentinel injury occurred at home had at least one subsequent injury at home. Seventeen percent of participants had at least one subsequent injury involving the same activity as their sentinel injury; 28% of those whose sentinel injury was a result of contact in sport had at least one subsequent injury also involving sport. CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent injuries among people presenting to healthcare providers are common. Greater emphasis should be placed on maximising such healthcare provider contact as an injury prevention opportunity.

Impact of further injury on participation in work and activities among those previously injured: results from a New Zealand prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To examine participation in paid work, unpaid work and activities 12 months after a sentinel (initial) injury, and to determine the impact of sustaining a subsequent injury (SI) on these participation outcomes. METHODS: Participants were recruited to the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study following an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC; New Zealand's no-fault injury insurer) entitlement claim injury. Outcomes were whether participants reported reduced paid work hours, reduced unpaid work (e.g. housework, gardening) or reduced activities (e.g. socialising, leisure pursuits) at 12 months compared to before the sentinel injury event. SIs were ACC claims of any type. Using multivariable models, characteristics of SIs were examined as potential predictors of reduced participation. RESULTS: At 12 months, 30% had reduced paid work hours, 12% had reduced unpaid work and 25% had reduced activities. Sustaining a SI predicted reduced paid work (RR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2, 1.8), but not unpaid work or activities. Participants who had sustained intracranial SIs were at highest risk of reduced paid work (RR 3.2, 95% CI 1.9, 5.2). Those sustaining SIs at work were less likely to have reduced paid work (RR 0.7; 95% CI 0.6, 1.0) than those with only non-work SIs. Participants sustaining assaultive SIs had higher risk of reduced unpaid work (RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0, 6.8). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced participation is prevalent after a substantive sentinel injury, and sustaining a SI impacts on return to paid work. Identification of SI characteristics that put people at high risk of participation restriction may be useful for focusing on rehabilitative attention.