From May 30 to June 6, 2024, a delegation from Nanjing Zijin Hospital, led by the Rehabilitation Medicine Professional Committee of the China Association of Private Medical Institutions, embarked on a study‑visit tour to Australia. The mission aimed to strengthen international medical exchanges, gain insights into Australia’s cutting‑edge medical technologies and management practices, and inject fresh momentum into elevating the hospital’s standards of patient care.

From June 1 to 2, as members of the Rehabilitation Medicine Professional Committee of the China Association of Private Medical Institutions, a delegation from the hospital first attended the 18th World Congress of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) in Sydney. This congress served as an international forum for showcasing cutting-edge research, discoveries, and innovations in the field of rehabilitation medicine. The program was structured around three key “T”s—Trauma, Technology, and Timing—covering topics such as the consequences of motor vehicle accidents, domestic violence, and the impacts of war and natural disasters under “Trauma”; ranging from personal devices like smartphones to robotic technologies under “Technology”; and exploring when rehabilitation should begin, how to make services more accessible, and when it should conclude under “Timing.” The event brought together renowned experts from across the globe, whose rigorous scholarly contributions and forward‑looking perspectives provided attendees with invaluable insights.

From June 3 to 5, led by a delegation from the Rehabilitation Medicine Professional Committee of the China Association of Private Medical Institutions, the hospital’s team also paid visits to several medical facilities in Australia, including Westmead Rehabilitation Hospital, Brunswick Private Hospital, and Southeast Private Hospital.

Through on-site visits and roundtable discussions, the delegation gained an in-depth understanding of Australian healthcare institutions’ operational models, clinical workflows, medical equipment, and approaches to training healthcare professionals, as well as their successful practices in medical technology innovation, patient-centered care, and hospital management. Meanwhile, the delegation from the Rehabilitation Medicine Professional Committee of the China Association of Private Medical Institutions presented the latest developments in China’s healthcare reform and the current realities of hospital development.

In today’s era of globalization, the healthcare sector is increasingly moving toward internationalization. As the primary providers of medical services, hospitals’ international development not only serves as a vital means of elevating clinical standards and meeting patients’ diverse needs, but also represents an indispensable strategy for engaging in global competition and achieving sustainable growth.

In recent years, our hospital has made significant progress in aligning with international standards. In December 2023, we successfully obtained CARF international rehabilitation accreditation, signifying that all of the hospital’s management and service systems now meet the global gold standard for rehabilitation care. Placing a strong emphasis on exchanges and collaborations with leading international healthcare institutions and actively adopting cutting-edge medical technologies and management practices are among the key measures our hospital has undertaken to integrate into the international standards framework.

This visit and study tour not only broadened the horizons and deepened the knowledge of the Nanjing Zijin Hospital delegation but also enabled them to gain a profound appreciation for the cutting-edge nature and forward-looking vision of the international healthcare sector. Delegation members unanimously expressed their commitment to bring back the advanced practices and technologies they have learned, integrate them with their hospital’s specific circumstances, and apply and disseminate them, thereby making an even greater contribution to elevating the quality of medical services at our institution.