[Ambulatory treatment of injuries]

In Denmark as well as in other countries an increase in the number of minor trauma treatments has been observed. This increase has not been observed in major trauma, suggesting an alteration in people's behaviour after trauma. As a result, more people are seeking treatment after minor injuries without an increase in the number of accidents. Suggestions have been made to reorganize the treatment of minor injuries to keep expenses down, and the treatment of minor injuries in accident and emergency departments as well as in general practice has been described in prospective investigations, but comparative studies between trauma treatment in accident and emergency departments or general practice have not been made. Economical studies of benefits (or losses) in different structures of trauma treatment are scarce. Comparative studies between minor trauma treatment in accident and emergency departments and general practice including detailed economical analysis should be carried out before changes in treatment structure are made, and the effect of these changes should be carefully evaluated afterwards.