The neurosurgeon’s role in disaster medicine: Lessons from the great east Japan earthquake

Abstract

The Great East-Japan Earthquake was a complex disaster comprising an earthquake, a tsunami, and radioactive contamination, that caused enormous damage to a wide area. While providing disaster medical treatment in this setting, new problems other than emergency medical care were revealed. In such a scenario, further improvement and strengthening of the medical system are necessary to prevent damage to the victims’ medium- to long-term health. We describe in detail the disaster medical activities in Kesen-numa City Hospital during the Great East Japan Earthquake. Finally, neurosurgeons are also expected to actively participate in the disaster medical management in addition to their role providing medical treatment for neurological patients.