Medical Rehabilitation After Natural Disasters: Why, When, and How?

Medical Rehabilitation in Natural Disasters in the Asia-Pacific Region: The Way Forward

“…The disaster victims are surviving at relatively higher rates, however, many have a range of long-term severe physical and psychological injuries which impact their quality of life. Further, those with pre-existing disabilities and additional co-morbidities are at risk of higher mortality and further morbidities as a result of a natural disaster [14]. These people require integrated interdisciplinary care from the acute phase of disaster management to sub-acute care (in hospital and/or community) to enable their previous level of function and reintegration into the community [15].…”

“…As aforementioned, natural disasters can cause complex disabilities, which are costly to treat and have socioeconomic implications due to increased demand for long-term health care, social and vocational services, and caregiver burden [2,14]. There is strong consensus that medical rehabilitation in any humanitarian disaster should be initiated in the immediate emergency response phase, and as disaster transitions away, it should continue in the community over a longer-term to restore function and enhance participation of survivors, affected directly or indirectly in the disaster [15,18].…”

“…Rehabilitation in disaster setting includes: assessment of injury patterns, needs and resource requirements (including long-term); establishment of patient triage, discharge, referral, and tracking systems; collaboration with other healthcare service providers; coordination with emergency response systems, host health system and government managers; and data collection, management and analysis [13,14]. Long-term rehabilitation planning is critical for community recovery where services should be accessible, and include general health maintenance [2,14]. The treating team includes physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) physicians, nurses and allied health professionals.…”

“…Primary goals of medical rehabilitation include management of acute injury, optimization of functional capabilities (including physical, cognitive, neuropsychological function) and social re-integration [14]. Rehabilitation in disaster setting includes: assessment of injury patterns, needs and resource requirements (including long-term); establishment of patient triage, discharge, referral, and tracking systems; collaboration with other healthcare service providers; coordination with emergency response systems, host health system and government managers; and data collection, management and analysis [13,14]. Long-term rehabilitation planning is critical for community recovery where services should be accessible, and include general health maintenance [2,14].…”

Experience and Preparedness of Major Incidents in Developing Countries

“…Reported benefits are quicker recovery, fewer medical complications, significant improvement in physical functional outcomes, and improved overall quality of life. 8 Barriers to providing effective early rehabilitation for SCI victims, however, include the following:…”