Disaster Medicine in China: Present and Future

Abstract

Disaster can strike people in any community at any time anywhere in the world. Disasters occur with high frequency, take on multiple forms, and exert wide influence, typically causing property damage, injuries, and death. As the world's largest developing country, China incurs great costs when a disaster hits. After the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, the Chinese government focused its attention on the construction of an emergency response system, the creation of disaster prevention and mitigation systems, and the development of a disaster medicine program. Here, we describe the current status of disaster medicine in China, focusing on the following four aspects: the Emergency Management System, Education & Training, Rescue Practices, and Research. We also discuss the future of disaster medicine in China. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:157-165).

Knowledge Maps of Disaster Medicine in China Based on Co-Word Analysis

“…Therefore, strengthening investigations of disaster medicine is of academic and practical significance for reducing disaster losses. 4 Bibliometrics, a widely accepted statistical analysis method in information science, 5 has been applied to investigations of disaster nursing, 6 disaster medical techniques, 7 some infectious diseases, 8,9 and medical rescue for specific disaster types 10 in the field of disaster medicine. For disaster medical research and practice, a key issue is how to obtain an overall perspective of the research focus and development direction.…”

“…China has been subject to some of the world’s most severe natural disasters, which has accelerated the progress in disaster medicine. Therefore, strengthening investigations of disaster medicine is of academic and practical significance for reducing disaster losses 4 …”

Application and Prospect of a Mobile Hospital in Disaster Response

“…10,11 Moreover, aeromedical evacuation provided fast transportation of wounded persons at disaster sites to hospitals. 12…”

Development of Disaster Nursing in China: From the Spirit of Nightingale to COVID-19

“…As the largest developing country, China has some of the worst natural disasters in the world, and its incidents have gradually increased in recent years [1][2] . At the same time, various types of accidents along with public health and social security incidents are prone to occur frequently, unfortunately the factors affecting public safety are increasing, all of which pose serious challenges to people's lives, property and general safety [3][4] , therefore, emergency disaster management has become an important part of China's national governance system.…”

“…1,2 At the same time, various types of accidents along with public health and social security incidents are prone to occur frequently. Unfortunately, the factors affecting public safety are increasing, all of which pose serious challenges to people's lives, property, and general safety 3,4 ; therefore, emergency disaster management has become an important part of China's national governance system.Disaster nursing refers to the systematic and flexible application of unique knowledge and skills related to disaster medical care by nursing staff in the event of a disaster, while cooperating with other professional fields to carry out tasks and reduce further hazard risks to public safety during disasters. 5 There is a big difference between a disaster site and a hospital environment; at a disaster site, the environment and conditions are poor, supplies are scarce, tasks are urgent, and the psychological pressure is enormous.…”