[Injuries in Rauma municipality in 1983. Therapeutic level and costs]

In 1983 doctors engaged in primary health care recorded all accidents leading to contact with a doctor. It was found that 9.1% of the total population consulted a doctor because of an accident. Of this percentage, 80.6% were treated by the local doctor, 13.7% were treated as outpatients at the local hospital, and 5.7% were admitted to hospital. The mean cost of the accidents was estimated to be NOK 1,901 (in 1983 prices, or NOK 2,841 in 1990 prices). 51% of the costs referred to sick pay, and 29% to hospital costs. Accidents at work accounted for 39% of the costs, traffic accidents 24% and accidents in the home 27%. We conclude that accidents in the home, and at school, and injuries from sports, are fields where accident prevention campaigns should be started as part of primary health care.