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Attitudes of neurosurgeons to cycle helmets

Some neurosurgeons have been keen advocates of cycle helmet wearing and have sometimes campaigned for helmet laws. On the other hand, other neurosurgeons have testified on oath that they believe that cycle helmets have little potential for protecting against serious head injury.

This conflict of attitudes towards helmets is reflected in a survey of neurosurgeons in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 465 neurosurgeons returned questionnaires that asked them about their own helmet wearing habits when they cycle. Only 49.7 percent said that they wore a helmet. This compares with 44.5% of a control group comprising members of the public with no neurosurgical or trauma experience.

The wearing of helmets by children reflects the habits of the parents. Only half of neurosurgeons' children wear helmets when cycling.

In response to a question about compulsory helmet use, one-half of neurosurgeons are in support and the other half opposed.

Sun 3 Jul 2011

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