Fact and Fiction Regarding Motorcycle Helmet Use, Associated Injuries, and Related Costs in the United States.

Autor:	Hofmann LJ; Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA., Babbitt-Jonas R; Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA., Khoury L; Surgery, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, USA., Perez JM; Surgery, Hackensack Meridian Health, Hackensack, USA., Cohn SM; Surgery, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, USA.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Cureus [Cureus] 2018 Nov 19; Vol. 10 (11), pp. e3610. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Nov 19.
DOI:	10.7759/cureus.3610
Abstrakt:	Background Despite evidence that helmet use decreases motorcycle-associated injuries and mortality, the use of motorcycle helmets is not universal. As trauma surgeons are frequently the primary providers responsible for motorcycle crash victims, we sought to gain a better understanding of trauma surgeons' perspectives on helmet use with motorcycles. Methods Members of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) were asked to participate in a survey that centered on attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs regarding motorcycle helmet use, associated injuries, and related costs. Demographic data were analyzed. In addition, we performed a literature search to attempt to clarify the current data on this subject. Results A total of 127 surgeons participated. The majority were male (64%, n=81), in academic practice (67%, n=85), and worked at a Level I trauma center (80%, n=102). Of those that owned a motorcycle, 100% wear a helmet when riding. Seven percent (n=9) of respondents believe helmet use increases cervical spine injury, although the majority (78%, n=99) disagree. In regards to head injuries and helmet use, most (93%, n=118) believe that helmets decrease the severity of head injury, improve outcomes (98%, n=124), and impact long-term disability (93%, n=118). Ninety percent (n=114) of surgeons believe that state legislation mandating motorcycle helmet use increases helmet utilization, and 82% (n=104) believe that the decision to wear a helmet should not be a personal decision. The majority (83%, n=106) of trauma surgeons agreed that helmet use would likely lead to a major reduction in motorcycle-related health care costs. Conclusions North American trauma surgeons wear helmets when they ride motorcycles and believe that these devices are highly protective, leading to a reduction in brain injury and the subsequent health care costs. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Databáze:	MEDLINE
Externí odkaz:	Zobrazit plný text záznamu