China is the most populous country in the world with 1.3 billion populations and has a long history of over 5000 years. Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture and massage, boards a long history of thousand years and is tested to be its effective by millions of practices. It is still used widely in physical and rehabilitation medicine. The modern physical therapy came to China at the early 20 century. The first physical therapy department in Peking Union Hospital was organized by an American therapist in 1923. The Chinese Society of Physical Therapy composed of physiatrist mainly founded in 1978. The term rehabilitation medicine came to China at 1980 decade and the society changed her name to Chinese Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 1985.
There are about 10000 physiatrists in China. The Chinese Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is the society of physiatrist. She has national conference every year with about 300 participants and 400-500 papers. There are local society of physical medicine and rehabilitation in 31 provinces or metropolitans in China. Most of them have their academic meeting once or more every year.
There are more than 100 medical schools in China and more than 30000 doctors graduate every year. Some of them become a physiatrist. Chinese doctors in rehabilitation medicine exchange and communicate with the foreign colleagues frequently. Chinese Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is an active member of ISPRM since 1999.
The president of Chinese Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is Professor Jing Li.
The vice president of CSPMR and society represent of CSPMR in ISPRM Board is:
Zongyao Wu
Professor in physiatry
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Southwest Hospital
Third Military Medical University
Chongqing 40003
China
wuznyao@hotmail.com
The vice president of CSPMR and individual represent of CSPMR in ISPRM Board is Professor Jianan Li.
Haim Ring, President of the ISPRM, addressing the CSPMR in Beijing:
International Department