The Outcomes and Impact of a Post-Earthquake Rehabilitation Program in China

Abstract

This study evaluated the outcomes and impact of a post-earthquake rehabilitation program in Sichuan, China. A case-study approach was adopted to conduct an in-depth examination of the program. The results show that the program effectively enhanced the functional outcomes of earthquake survivors. However, the empowerment of earthquake survivors with disabilities requires further consideration, and the local community's ownership of the program must also be addressed. A combination of institution- and community-based approaches was advocated in developing the post-earthquake rehabilitation program to enhance its impact on the local community.

Lessons learned from health system rehabilitation preparedness and response for disasters in LMICs: a scoping review

“…Services included free consultation and treatment; medicines, and wound care supplies to 7255 patients, which included non-disaster related care Physical rehabilitation in the context of a landslide that occurred in Brazil [ 30 ] To investigate the challenges in delivering rehabilitation to those injures in the 2011 landslide disaster Brazil 2011 landslide Cross-sectional mixed method study 2326 hospital records and 27 interviews with 11 victims and 16 health professionals Most rehabilitation services didn’t identify a surge in demand post disaster, despite knowing demand existed. This was thought to be because the need was repressed by competing personal needs, financial constraints to pay for rehabilitation and transport, and lack of access and awareness of rehabilitation services, meaning referrals weren’t made The outcomes and impact of a Post-Earthquake Rehabilitation Program in China: A Qualitative Study [ 31 ] To analyze the outcomes and implications for a large-scale, community based, post-earthquake rehabilitation program in Sichuan, China after the program had been operational for 5 years China 2008 Sichuan earthquake Embedded qualitative case study 1,471 people who received rehabilitation services between July 2008 and June 2013 75.4% patients sustained injuries related in the earthquake, and the remaining 24.54% were non-earth-quake victims. 88.06% of service users felt the programed helped them achieve their goals.…”

Identifying evidence to define community-based rehabilitation practice in China using a case study approach with multiple embedded case study design

“…However, this is frequently limited by architectural barriers, the remoteness of communities, and the difficulties in handling children with severe disabilities. Projects enhancing livelihood in CBR programs were evident [44], but they were isolated activities that have not been fully developed and extended to other areas for people with different types of disabilities [13].…”

Physical therapy needs for patients with physical function injuries post‐earthquake disasters: A systematic review of Chinese and Western literature

“…To help contain costs and improve patient care continuity following an earthquake disaster, the care location must also shift as soon as feasible, moving subacute care from hospital or medical‐surgical institution‐based programs to a greater reliance on less specialized, community service network providers (Chung, ; Minimum Technical Standards and Recommendations for Rehabilitation Emergency Management Teams, ). This shift requires predisaster‐integrated service planning with well‐defined communication guidelines and protocols.…”

“…Earthquakes may negatively impact people immediately, over several years post‐disaster and, in many instances, for the remainder of their lives (Chung, ). Over the last 500 years, the highest number of earthquakes with more than 10,000 fatalities and the largest total number of earthquake fatalities occurred in China (Bilham, ).…”