Road traffic accident cases at Bhutan’s national referral hospital: A 13-Year retrospective study (2011–2023)

Abstract

Introduction: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and Bhutan is no exception. This study is the first of its kind to analyse the RTA records maintained by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (DFMT) of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH). The objectives were to review RTA records and generate actionable insights prior to digitally archiving key data points and securely disposing of hard-copy records. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study reviewed RTA records maintained by the DFMT of JDWNRH. All RTAs recorded from January 2011 to December 2023 were included. Paper-based information was digitized using Google Forms and subsequently analysed using SPSS Version 31. Results: A total of 3,847 RTAs, including 41 (1.1%) fatalities, were recorded during the study period. Young adults aged 20–29 years accounted for the highest proportion of cases (37.7%). Individuals of Sharchop ethnicity (31.5%) and motor vehicle drivers (34.0%) comprised the largest groups of road users, followed by pedestrians (24.3%). The number of RTAs was higher during summer, on Sundays, within the City Core area, and between 15:00 and 18:00 hours. Off-road vehicular accidents (28%) were the most common type of RTA, and the majority of cases involved injuries to the extremities (92.4%).Conclusion: The study underscores the need for structured, comprehensive, and digitally integrated medico-legal documentation, particularly within the existing ePIS framework. The observed temporal fluctuations, seasonal variability, and episodic surges in RTAs indicate the need to transition from reactive case documentation to proactive, data-driven road safety planning.