Rare diseases are characterized by low incidence rates, complex etiologies, and multi-system involvement. In China, the patient population exceeds 20 million, who face challenges such as difficulty accessing medical care, obtaining accurate diagnoses, and managing their conditions. To address these challenges, West China Hospital of Sichuan University has developed a comprehensive “pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, and post-diagnosis” management model for rare diseases, with a focus on “internet plus digital intelligence empowerment”. This approach enhances accessibility in the pre-diagnosis phase, improves diagnostic efficiency during diagnosis, and achieves full-cycle management post-diagnosis, establishing a continuous care system that ensures “medical support beyond the hospital”. This article introduces the innovative exploration and practical experience of West China Hospital of Sichuan University in the holistic management of rare diseases, and provide a reference for its subsequent promotion.
At present, China has entered an aging society facing the dual challenges of “growing old before becoming affluent” and “aging without adequate preparation”, leading to significant eldercare pressures. With the rapid development of smart healthcare, the elderly population’s diverse, differentiated, and personalized medical demands have become increasingly prominent, presenting new challenges for geriatric healthcare services. This article elaborates and analyzes the elderly healthcare policies and the healthcare challenges faced by the elderly under China’s national strategy for actively addressing population aging. It also introduces the practical experience of intelligent elderly medical assistance in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from the aspects of enhanced appointment coordination mechanisms, refined treatment workflow optimization, and upgraded patient-centered service provisions. The research ultimately proposes actionable management strategies to achieve intelligent continuity in geriatric care delivery.