title: The role of the orthopedist in injury prevention.
abstract: Injury is an endemic disease process that is a leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States today. Among physicians, the orthopedic surgeon is most likely to be consulted by injured patients. Traditionally, orthopedists have played an important role in injury prevention as exemplified by the field of sports medicine. Three mechanisms have been demonstrated to be effective means of controlling the injury problem: (1) persuading persons at risk of injury to alter their behavior; (2) requiring individual behavior changes by law or administrative rule; and (3) providing automatic protection by product and environmental design. Specific strategies for implementing injury-prevention programs by the orthopedic surgeon are physician education, patient education, and public education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio 78284.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Heckman
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: States
mesh_terms: D004779:Environment Design; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011482:Protective Devices; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*