NRMA Insurance says a pilot program is underway that’s testing a digital platform with the aim of improving and speeding up customers’ recovery from motor vehicle accidents. The digital engagement platform was developed by LeapForward, an Australian health focused technology company.
“We wanted to be involved in this trial to test the benefits of LeapForward’s digital platform in supporting people to recover and get back to health following a motor vehicle incident,” said Zoe Wang (pictured above), the NRMA’s health and recovery manager. “As part of this research, NRMA Insurance is identifying 100 injured persons following a motor vehicle incident who could benefit from LeapForward’s program during their recovery.”
Wang said the University of Sydney will study this sample group.
“It is a digitised six-week program that harnesses psychoeducation, technology, and coaching, offering an integrated approach of self-guided digital coaching combined with face-to-face support with qualified Allied Health Professionals,” she said. “We are currently offering the LeapForward program to customers on a pilot basis as part of this research trial.”
Wang said customer involvement is voluntary and comes at no cost.
According to LeapForward CEO Libby Roberts her technology is a “virtual health coach” that aims to teach participants skills to overcome unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and also support their recovery from a motor accident.
The firm’s website says the technology is “a health and wellbeing education program, not a therapeutic intervention” that supports rehabilitation.
“In as little as 10 minutes a day, you’ll see noticeable results in a couple of weeks,” it says.
“It is exciting to build further evidence for the impact of our novel approach to supporting recovery, specifically in the area of motor accident recovery,” said Roberts in a media release from the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC).
University of Sydney Professor Nick Glozier said the technology has already been developed based on “leading evidence-based principles.”
“Ultimately we will be looking to build an evidence-base to see if the use of this digital intervention induces change in users’ health and wellbeing, and ultimately has the potential to reduce personal injury claim costs longer-term,” said Glozier in the same release.
Figures for the number of Australians injured in motor vehicle accidents vary considerably.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of people actually hospitalised annually because of motor accident related injuries is about 40,000. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports a higher hospitalisation figure: more than 60,000.
The DHCRC release quadruples that number and says over 240,000 Australians aged 15 years and over experience a motor vehicle injury in any 12-month period.
However, the human and economic costs of car accidents – including for insurance firms involved in motor accident claims – is undeniable.
DHCRC CEO Annette Schmiede said traditional healthcare and rehabilitation service delivery also creates an urban-rural disparity in access.
“This project will look to show how an accessible, digitised tool can be utilised to overcome this geographic disparity, as well as the ability to promote return to health and wellbeing to those impacted by accidents as a first step in understanding long-term effectiveness,” said Schmiede in the release.
Wang agreed.
“Psychological and emotional wellbeing following a motor accident is an extremely important factor to consider in helping our customers during their recovery,” said Wang. “The LeapForward offering aims to support people’s emotional and psychological wellbeing following injury by providing holistic advice and support through a digital app, supported by in person coaching.”
Wang said the NRMA is looking to build an evidence-base to see if the use of this digital intervention has the potential to improve psychological wellbeing and recovery from injury following motor accidents.
“Once we review the outcomes of the pilot program, there is potential for us to offer this platform as part of our management of motor accident injury claims to provide the best support possible for our customers,” she said.
Are you an insurance industry stakeholder in the motor accident claims space? What are some factors that can slow down the customer’s recovery from a motor accident and challenge the claims process? Please tell us below
