Neurocritical Care in China: Past, Present, and Future

World Neurosurg. 2016 Nov:95:502-506. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.06.102. Epub 2016 Jun 30.

Abstract

Despite the lack of resources and materials, there has been an increasing demand for acute neurologic care owing to the heavy burden of neurocritical illness in most developing countries, including China, where the morbidity and mortality of severe neurologic and neurosurgical disorders remains high. Neurointensive care units did not start appearing in China until the late 1980s. Although great progress has been made over the past 2 decades in the establishment of equipped neurocritical care centers, advancements in medical infrastructure, streamlining of resident training programs, and implementation of multidisciplinary care teams, there remain areas that warrant improvement to care for our growing patient population. Here we review and discuss the history, present state, and future of neurocritical care in the People's Republic of China.

Keywords: China; Intensive care; Neurocritical care; Neurosurgery; Stroke; Trauma.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Critical Care / history*
  • Critical Care / trends
  • Developing Countries*
  • Health Resources
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / history*
  • Intensive Care Units / trends
  • Neurology / history*
  • Neurology / trends
  • Neurosurgery / history*
  • Neurosurgery / trends