Trauma care systems in South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of the provision of trauma care in South Africa, a middle income country emerging into a democratic state.


METHODS
Literature review.


CONCLUSIONS
South Africa is gripped by an almost hidden epidemic of intentional and non-intentional injury, largely driven by alcohol and substance abuse, against a background of poverty and rapid urbanisation. Gross inequities exist in the provision of trauma care. Access to pre-hospital care and overloading of tertiary facilities are the major inefficiencies to be addressed. The burden of disease due to trauma presents unique opportunities for reconstruction and clinical research.
Goosen
J
J
Trauma Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Bowley
D M
DM
Degiannis
E
E
Plani
F
F
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs; D011247:Pregnancy; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014507:Urbanization / Q000639:trends; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control