More than 80 people attended the Jamieson Trauma Institute’s (JTI) Brain Trauma Research Collaboration Workshop on Tuesday 4 September, to delve deeper into one of the major causes of lifelong disability and death worldwide.
JTI, with support from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), Queensland Brain Institute, Herston Imaging Research Facility, researchers in the Brain and Mental Health group for Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners, created the event to bring together researchers, clinicians and working groups in the brain trauma space to encourage collaboration and creation.
The workshop featured snapshots of research and capability from the Queensland Trauma Data Warehouse; Queensland Brain Institute; RECOVER Injury Research Centre, University of Queensland (UQ); The Hopkins Centre; Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital; Lady Cilento Rehabilitation; Australian Defence Force; Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation; Queensland Centre for Medical Research; CSIRO; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute; Centre for Advanced Imaging, UQ; and the Herston Imaging Research Facility.
Executive Director of Research at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), Dr Merrilyn Banks, said the event was full of incredible researchers, sharing their united interest in traumatic brain injury.
“We know that severe brain trauma is most commonly the result of motor vehicle crashes, followed closely by falls, assaults and—very topically—sports injuries,” Dr Banks said.
“This forum was a great success on all fronts and I have been very impressed with the amount of collaboration and participation we have seen today.
“Traumatic brain injury (TBI) impacts the patient, but also friends, family and the community around them. There is a real need for options to improve the lives of those with TBI, and events like these where we host the best and brightest gives hope to further discoveries and research for the future.”
Representatives from MAIC were joined by staff from the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ) to learn about emerging initiatives occurring in the brain injury space.
MAIC Insurance Commissioner and NIISQ CEO, Neil Singleton, was pleased to see such strong interest in the forum both in terms of attendance and the excellent and informative presentations.
“Road crashes are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury across the globe and Queensland is well placed with excellent clinicians and researchers to make a difference here,” Neil said.
“It was great to see everyone come together to collaborate and learn. We look forward to seeing the output of the forum and the opportunities for action – whether it involves prevention, treatment or rehabilitation”.
“I know I took something away from today’s workshop, and I am sure everyone else did too.”