Information for Legal Representatives
IPRS - So who are we?
IPRS are a clinically based organisation which provides bespoke intervention, Physiotherapy treatment and managed return to work programmes for major blue chip organisations within Industry, Insurance and Sports and Leisure. These services include injury management and rehabilitation.
IPRS have long advocated the early application of active rehabilitation in all musculoskeletal injuries, whether acute or chronic in nature. This approach is relevant to whiplash, lower back pain and most other forms of trauma orthopaedic or otherwise.
Evidence Based Medicine (EBM)
Our services are based on medical evidence and our proven experience in managing these injuries, spanning over 10 years.
EBM is based on the best, current, research evidence and only uses treatment that is effective and proven. When used in combination with experienced clinicians with sound clinical reasoning, the application of EBM to the IPRS Whiplash Programme provides optimum and predictable outcomes, enabling recovery in the shortest but safest possible time.
The Whiplash Programme
The “Whiplash Programme” is a focused intervention and treatment programme appropriate for both acute and chronic conditions. The range of services include proactive and reactive rehabilitation in order to care and treat those suffering from a wide range of injuries but specifically Whiplash as a result of a Road Traffic Accident.
By offering and implementing appropriate clinical interventions, IPRS are able to ensure that the injured individuals will return to their pre-injured state in the shortest but safest possible time.
The Whiplash Programme provides:
Telephone Based Assessment and Support
- A qualified IPRS Clinician, who specialises in Orthopaedic / Musculoskeletal injuries, carries out a detailed assessment.
- A structured assessment about their condition, symptoms, pain levels, treatment to date and previous medical and accident history is detailed.
- The assessment is specifically designed to establish the severity of the injury and any other relevant medical or psychological factors. Advice regarding their condition is given, along with specific guidance on how to stay active and safe.
- A tailored Whiplash guide is sent to all patients and the exercises are discussed and explained clearly. The guide provides further advice and reassurance regarding coping with their condition and managing their pain, i.e. pain killers and relaxation techniques.
- There is a telephone “helpline” that is available to call should the person feel that they require any additional support or help.
Rehabilitation Code of Conduct
IPRS have signed up to this Code, which promotes the use of rehabilitation and early intervention in the claims process so that the injured person makes the best and quickest possible medical, social and psychological recovery.
The Evidence
The evidence shows that most people can self-manage if given the right support and information. For Low Grade Whiplash where the “soft tissue” - muscles, tendons and ligaments - rather than bones are affected “Self-Management” is evidenced to provide the best outcome. The evidence highlights that people recover faster when they remain active, exercise their necks and carry on with their daily life. There is no need for people to receive face-to-face assessments when provided with telephone based clinical support, advice and information.
Clinical Trials have shown that people who move their necks as soon as possible and exercise, i.e. within 48 hours of their Whiplash injury, have more mobility one month after the injury compared to those who rest and are inactive.
Additionally, in the following two years, those who remained active, were less likely to experience any further problems, however, those who did not remain active continued to have neck pain and stiffness some two years or more.
Reference
Clin Rehabil. 2000 Oct;14(5):457-67.
Spine. 1998 Jan 1;23(1):25-31.
Spine. 2000 Jul 15;25(14):1728-7 - Erratum in: Spine. 2003 Jun 1;28(11):1212.
Spine. 2003 Nov 15;28(22):2491-8.
Hands-On Assessment and Treatment
Everyone will receive the initial telephone assessment and support, along with the correct advice and guidance to manage their Whiplash injury. However, should treatment be clinically appropriate, this is provided via IPRS' own PRISM treatment centres, which are focused musculoskeletal rehabilitation centres, equipped with the very latest technology to support injury treatment and rehabilitation. An extensive UK network of Associate Practices, which cover all disciplines of musculoskeletal treatment, support our own PRISM centres.
Based on EBM, the evidence suggests that most people recover within 3 or 4 treatment sessions, if following the clinical care pathway for Whiplash. IPRS work with the patient and the treating clinician to ensure that the injured person recovers back to function and back to health at the earliest, safest time.
Whilst it would be possible to provide every injured person with all possible treatment options, IPRS believes in providing the appropriate level of intervention based on the current evidence and the exact needs of the injury.
The concept of telephone based assessment and support has been widely accepted for a number of years. The main example of this is NHS Direct which provides a telephone triage to more than 2.5 million people per month. All calls are answered by NHS Direct Nurses who ask a series of questions to establish what the patient's symptoms are, their medical history etc. The Nurse will then proceed to advise the patient on self help recovery or if the problem is more serious, how to seek medical treatment.