A research article published by staff in the Designing Better Therapies research program, led by Professor Michele Sterling, attracted lively discussion amongst doctors and allied health professionals on the Australian Doctor forum.
The research, led by Dr Jane Nikles and colleagues, published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that GPs refer about 30 per cent of new whiplash cases for imaging (possibly over-utilising imaging), and prescribe a range of drugs, approximately 22 per cent of which are outside clinical guidelines (including opioids).
These findings suggest a need for further education of GPs, including indications for imaging after whiplash injury, identification of those more likely to develop chronic WAD (whiplash associated disorders), and medication management guidelines.
