Abstract
Epidemiology is the study of health and disease in populations, the scientific
approach typifying public health medicine. The paradigms are somewhat different from the reductionist approach of much clinical science, which seeks to understand disease processes at an “omic” level. The rationale that underpins epidemiology suggests that effective disease control must begin and end by understanding the impact of a disease (and its prevention/management strategies) at a population level – globally, nationally, and locally – including the identification of vulnerable groups, etiological factors, and societal costs.
An epidemiological perspective on polytrauma – significant injuries affecting
more than one body region – and its management must draw from the significant
“injury control” literature. The latter often does not distinguish between polytrauma and major injury to a single body system. However, it sets an important context for more detailed descriptions of polytrauma found in trauma registries. This chapter will therefore first describe the global injury burden prior to a polytrauma focus.
approach typifying public health medicine. The paradigms are somewhat different from the reductionist approach of much clinical science, which seeks to understand disease processes at an “omic” level. The rationale that underpins epidemiology suggests that effective disease control must begin and end by understanding the impact of a disease (and its prevention/management strategies) at a population level – globally, nationally, and locally – including the identification of vulnerable groups, etiological factors, and societal costs.
An epidemiological perspective on polytrauma – significant injuries affecting
more than one body region – and its management must draw from the significant
“injury control” literature. The latter often does not distinguish between polytrauma and major injury to a single body system. However, it sets an important context for more detailed descriptions of polytrauma found in trauma registries. This chapter will therefore first describe the global injury burden prior to a polytrauma focus.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Damage Control Management in the Polytrauma Patient |
| Editors | Hans-Christoph Pape , Andrew Peitzman, William Schwab, Peter Giannoudis |
| Place of Publication | New York |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Pages | 13-24 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-0-387-89508-6 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0-387-89507-9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
