Trauma care systems in South Africa
J Goosen, DM Bowley, E Degiannis, F Plani - Injury, 2003 - Elsevier
J Goosen, DM Bowley, E Degiannis, F Plani
Injury, 2003•ElsevierAim: To provide an overview of the provision of trauma care in South Africa, a middle income
country emerging into a democratic state. Methods: Literature review. Conclusions: South
Africa is gripped by an almost hidden epidemic of intentional and non-intentional injury,
largely driven by alcohol and substance abuse, against a background of poverty and rapid
urbanisation. Gross inequities exist in the provision of trauma care. Access to pre-hospital
care and overloading of tertiary facilities are the major inefficiencies to be addressed. The …
country emerging into a democratic state. Methods: Literature review. Conclusions: South
Africa is gripped by an almost hidden epidemic of intentional and non-intentional injury,
largely driven by alcohol and substance abuse, against a background of poverty and rapid
urbanisation. Gross inequities exist in the provision of trauma care. Access to pre-hospital
care and overloading of tertiary facilities are the major inefficiencies to be addressed. The …
Aim
To provide an overview of the provision of trauma care in South Africa, a middle income country emerging into a democratic state.
Methods
Literature review.
Conclusions
South Africa is gripped by an almost hidden epidemic of intentional and non-intentional injury, largely driven by alcohol and substance abuse, against a background of poverty and rapid urbanisation. Gross inequities exist in the provision of trauma care. Access to pre-hospital care and overloading of tertiary facilities are the major inefficiencies to be addressed. The burden of disease due to trauma presents unique opportunities for reconstruction and clinical research.
Elsevier