Objectives. The costs associated with traumatic injury are often exacerbated by the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms. However, it is unclear what decreases the development of post‐traumatic symptoms over time. The aim of the present research was to examine the role of psychological symptoms and social group memberships in reducing the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms after orthopaedic injuries (OIs) and acquired brain injuries (ABIs). Design and Methods. A longitudinal prospective study assessed self‐reported general health symptoms, social group memberships, and post‐traumatic stress symptoms among participants with mild or moderate ABI (n= 62) or upper limb OI (n= 31) at 2 weeks (T1) and 3 months (T2) after injury. Results. Hierarchical regressions revealed that having fewer T1 general health symptoms predicted lower levels of T2 post‐traumatic stress symptoms after OI but forming more new group memberships at T1 predicted lower levels of T2 post‐traumatic stress symptoms after ABI. Conclusion. A focus on acquiring group memberships may be particularly important in reducing the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms after injuries, such as ABI, which result in long‐term life changes. Statement of Contribution What is already known on this subject? Post‐traumatic stress symptoms are a common outcome after accidental traumatic injury. Persistent post‐traumatic stress symptoms can be a risk factor for the development of PTSD. What does this study add? New insight into the contributions of general health symptoms and social group memberships in the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms after accidental injury. The development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms over time is associated with higher levels of general health symptoms among individuals with orthopaedic injuries; They are associated with lower levels of social group memberships among individuals with acquired brain injuries.

Accurate ECG interpretation appears dependent on the perceptual skill of pattern recognition and specifically the time to fixate the critical lead(s). Therefore, there is potential clinical utility in developing perceptual training programs to train novices to detect abnormalities more effectively.

Head injuries across all age groups represent an extremely common emergency department (ED) presentation. The main focus of initial assessment and management rightly concentrates on the need to exclude significant pathology, that may or may not require neurosurgical intervention. Relatively little focus, however, is given to the potential for development of post-concussion syndrome (PCS), a constellation of symptoms of varying severity, which may bear little correlation to the nature or magnitude of the precipitating insult. This review aims to clarify the aetiology and terminology surrounding PCS and to examine the mechanisms for diagnosing and treating.

Increased prejudicial attitudes of qualified staff are related to a decrease in intended helping behaviour, which has the potential to impact negatively on an individual's recovery post-injury.