Accident Care Evaluation Study examines the effect of an educational program and a clinic that provides specialist medical assessment and referral for patients who have had soft tissue and whiplash injury following motor vehicle accidents, with the aim of improving recovery time and reducing costs for patients.

1. Specialist assessment involves patients attending a clinic created exclusively for the Accident Care Evaluation Study, and includes the services of a physician with specialist musculoskeletal training and nurse educator. Clinic participants are assessed and treatment plans are developed to assist the patient’s primary health care professionals and ancillary healthcare providers manage their care. Assessment and treatment is based on evidenced based guidelines for the management of acute musculoskeletal pain. The examining physician obtains a medical history that includes past medical history, regular medications, occupation, home domestic situation, injury history, treatment to date, investigations to date, current symptoms, results of functional assessment tools and the patient's current expectations in relation to their injury. A physical examination, structured on evidence-based-practice, is performed in relation to the specific injuries involved. A detailed explanation of the nature and likely natural history of their condition is provided to the participant. 2.Treatment Planning. Following assessment the patient is given a detailed explanation of the nature and likely natural history of their condition. In most cases this involves an explanation of the 'pain-dysfunction cycle' using the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. The patient receives an outline of the recommended treatment program including a range of rehabilitation exercises with specific written instructions reinforcing their rehabilitation program. The exercise instruction sheets have step-by-step instructions and digital photographs to assist with patient recall and exercise techniques. The patient is also given written advice about any specific concerns related to protective posturing and the use of medication. Further investigative and therapeutic referral and review is offered, while the nurse educator contacts the patient at 2 weeks and then again at 3 months. Physician review is available up to the 4 month period after which patients are referred back to their primary health providers. Where indicated, the physician will coordinate referral to appropriate health care providers for medical imaging, psychological counseling or physiotherapy. Prompt and comprehensive written communication is sent to all involved health care providers, including the patient’s general practitioner, after each patient contact. The participants are followed up at 6 and 12 months by questionnaire. 3. Education Educational resources have been developed to promote and increase awareness of the ACE study and its objectives during the course of the interventional research period. Aimed at 2 distinct groups, health care providers and patients who are involved in motor car accidents the resources are in many formats and include the following: hard copy material for patients includes posters, brochures, exercise and treatment sheets, a power point presentation and a 24 page booklet “The fast road to recovery”, while for health professionals there is the booklet “Information and Resources for Health Care Professionals”, brochures, posters and for both groups, an Accident Care Evaluation website. In addition, education sessions are organised for health professionals ranging from emergency department nurses and doctors, general practitioners and their nurse practitioners and allied health such as physiotherapists and chiropractors. The Accident Care Evaluation Clinic physician generally conducted the sessions while the ACE Nurse Educator spoke to the nurse practitioners and supported the other sessions with the educational material. The general practitioners session were run over two separate six week periods, rotating 3 discreet lectures, while sessions ran three times over a twelve month period to catch rotating medical staff from both participating hospitals. Media releases were published in local professional publications, and letters were sent to health care providers informing them of ACE and the education information sessions