Background A substantial proportion of people who experience an injury will experience a subsequent injury event. Intervening to try to prevent subsequent injuries offers an important opportunity to contribute to reducing the overall burden of injury.

Objectives This study aims to determine the feasibility of a potential intervention aimed at preventing subsequent injuries and optimising recovery among people who have had a musculoskeletal injury involving an Accident Compensation Corporation entitlement claim. Feasibility objectives are to determine: 1) How soon post-injury can we recruit potential participants?, 2) How long will it take to recruit the necessary number of Māori (Indigenous population of New Zealand) and non-Māori participants?, 3) What is the best timing and number of telephone interviews?, 4) Is the nature and content of the telephone interviews acceptable and appropriate to both Māori and non-Māori participants and interviewers? and 5) Is the training programme adequate, and delivery of the intervention acceptable, to interviewers?

Methods Participants were randomly allocated to receive either 2 (control group) or 4 (intervention group) short interviews via telephone over ~6 months. Following their final telephone interview, intervention group participants and the Kaiāwhina Whara/Injury Liaison Interviewers were invited to participate in a qualitative interview to explore their experience of the study to help inform a future planned larger study.

Results Of 56 potential participants contactable, 63% (n=35) agreed to take part; 18 intervention (9 Māori, 9 non-Māori) and 17 control group participants (9 Māori, 8 non-Māori). The median duration from date of injury to obtaining participant consent was 35 days (IQR 27–54). For Māori, this was 28 (24–46) and for non-Māori 40 (35–80). Qualitative interviews explored a range of aspects regarding participant and interviewer perceptions of the study and the nature and content of the telephone follow-ups. Both quantitative and qualitative findings have allowed for reflection on a variety of aspects that will strengthen and enhance future research.

Conclusion This study has provided valuable insights that are translatable into different injury prevention research contexts such as considerations for the timing of interventions, optimising participant management systems, considerations for data analysis, and managing unexpected interruptions to the project.