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Sick-leave after road traffic accidents
Scandinavian Journal of Social Medicine
|January 1, 1976
Summary
Road traffic injuries result in an average of 35 days off work, with motorcyclists experiencing the longest absences. Orthopaedic injuries significantly increase sick leave duration and costs.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic trauma
- Occupational health
- Road safety
Background:
- Road traffic accidents are a significant cause of injury and lost work time.
- The National Insurance Scheme covers medical expenses for casualties.
- Understanding work absence duration is crucial for economic and healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the duration of inability to work following road traffic injuries.
- To identify factors influencing time off work, such as injury type and mode of transport.
- To assess the economic impact of sick leave related to trauma.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up study of 425 road traffic casualties covered by the National Insurance Scheme.
- Data collection on duration of inability to work.
- Analysis of injury severity, type, and mode of transport.
Main Results:
- The average work absence was 35 days.
- Motorcyclists had the longest duration of absence; cyclists had the shortest.
- Orthopaedic injuries averaged 120 days off work, constituting 67% of total sick leave costs despite being 20% of injuries.
Conclusions:
- Injury severity and type strongly correlate with work absence duration.
- Orthopaedic trauma represents a disproportionately high burden on sick leave.
- Further discussion on trauma treatment responsibility is warranted.