Open AccessThe Evolution of Emergency Medicine
Author(s) -
Chung CH
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490790100800204
Subject(s) - specialty , medicine , medline , emergency medicine , medical emergency , family medicine , political science , law
Objective Emergency Medicine as an independent medical specialty has a history of only about 30 years. However, emergency medical care has been practised ever since human civilization. As emergency physicians, it is necessary to know the evolution of Emergency Medicine throughout the centuries and its development in different parts of the World. Lessons learned in the past may guide our future development. Methods Medical literature on evolution, development and history of Emergency Medicine were searched from the Medline, HealthSTAR and EMBASE. Relevant full text articles were retrieved through hospital library network. Information was also obtained through Internet and books on history of medicine. Results Most of the articles were contained in the International Report Section of the Annals of Emergency Medicine. The historical development, the catalysts for change and the different models of modern emergency care were found to be interesting and enlightening. Conclusion Emergency Medicine is still at its formative stage. Different models exist in different parts of the World. The specialty is rapidly changing and moving in different directions, both locally and internationally.