As\u00a0injury prevention researchers, one of the eternal struggles we must\u00a0overcome is\u00a0how\u00a0to use our research to inform both practice and policy. Needless to say that my heart was gladdened today when I read an evidence-based\u00a0protocol for a study designed to reduce alcohol-related injuries in the Northern Territory of Australia.<\/p>\n
You would be hard-pressed to find someone, young or old, who cannot give an example of\u00a0one or more of the downsides of drinking alcohol to excess, ranging from the dreaded hangover next day,\u00a0to\u00a0death as a result of a car crash. Trauma arising from violence, and alcohol-fuelled violence specifically, is problematic for Australia’s indigenous population. Piloting of the motivational\u00a0care planning intervention corresponded to improved\u00a0health and wellbeing of the participants, including reduced substance use.<\/p>\n
The process of developing and implementing the evidence-based intervention, including key persons, training and resources are summarised in the protocol, and the\u00a0expected process and outcome evaluations are described.\u00a0Seeing such a publication leaves me feeling hopeful that other injury prevention researchers – including myself – will also be able to translate research findings into evidence-based practice and policy.<\/p>\n