The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 32, Issue 1 , Pages 45-54, January 2007

Emergency medicine in space

  • Lowan H. Stewart, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint Address: Lowan H. Stewart, md, Department of Emergency Medicine, Willamette Falls Hospital, 1500 Division St., Oregon City, OR 97045
    • ,
  • Donald Trunkey, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
    • ,
  • G. Steve Rebagliati, MD, MBA

      Affiliations

    • Medical Affairs and Quality Management, Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon

Received 9 March 2005; received in revised form 26 September 2005; accepted 9 May 2006.

Abstract 

Recent events, including the development of space tourism and commercial spaceflight, have increased the need for specialists in space medicine. With increased duration of missions and distance from Earth, medical and surgical events will become inevitable. Ground-based medical support will no longer be adequate when return to Earth is not an option. Pending the inclusion of sub-specialists, clinical skills and medical expertise will be required that go beyond those of current physician-astronauts, yet are well within the scope of Emergency Medicine. Emergency physicians have the necessary broad knowledge base as well as proficiency in basic surgical skills and management of the critically ill and injured. Space medicine shares many attributes with extreme conditions and environments that many emergency physicians already specialize in. This article is an introduction to space medicine, and a review of current issues in the emergent management of medical and surgical disease during spaceflight.

Keywords: space, spaceflight, microgravity, emergency medicine, emergency procedures

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PII: S0736-4679(06)00634-2

doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2006.05.031

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 32, Issue 1 , Pages 45-54, January 2007

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