J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  1999 Dec;10(4):549-559.

A Preliminary Survey of Emergency Medicine in 12 Asian Countries

• Chung JM
• Wang SJ
• Ahn MU
• Park JH
• Yoo KC
• Park JS
• Kang JG
• Arnold JL

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To assess the current level of development of emergency medicine (EM) systems in Asia. METHOD: Survey of EM professionals from 12 Asian countries during a 90-day period from August to November 1998. 12 EM professionals from 12 Asian countries completed the survey. All participants were physicians. 7 participants (58%) gave presentations at an international EM conference during the study period. Respondents completed a 103 question questionnaire about the status of EM specialty, academic, patient care, information and management systems and the factors influencing the future of EM in their countries.
RESULTS
92% of respondents stated that their countries have hospital-based emergency departments (ED). More than 80% of respondents reported that their countries have EMS systems and ED systems for trauma care and patient transfer. More than 70% stated that their countries have national EM organizations, EM research, national EMS activation phone numbers, ED systems for pediatric emergency care, emergency physician (EP) training in ACLS and ATLS and peer review. More than 60% reported official recognition of EM as an independent specialty status, ED triage systems and systems for customer service. More than 50% reported EM residency training programs, EM journals and EP ability to perform rapid sequence intubation (RSI). 50% reported EP ability to perform thrombolysis for acute MI and 33% reported EP ultrasonography. 92% felt that a lack of funding posed a moderate or great obstacle to the future development of EM in their countries.
CONCLUSION
Many essential systems of EM now exist throughout Asia. In the systems of administration and emergency medical information in many countries, there are some parts to be developed further.

MeSH Terms

Asia
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Education
Emergencies*
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medicine*
Emergency Service, Hospital
Financial Management
Humans
Internship and Residency
Intubation
Patient Care
Patient Transfer
Peer Review
Triage
Ultrasonography