The State of the States: Growing PhysiatryAssociation of Academic Physiatrists Position Statement Addressing Academic Physiatry and PM&R Growth

The growth of physiatry in the United States is dependent upon academic exposure at both the undergraduate and graduate medical education levels. Undergraduate medical education provides students with knowledge of physiatry, as well as proper understanding of human function, medical rehabilitation treatments, and of physiatrists as consultants. Graduate medical education contributes more directly to the total number of practicing physiatrists. This paper presents disparities in medical student exposure to physiatry, PM&R residency positions, the number of practicing physiatrists, and PM&R-relevant patient care needs, by state. In the model, these disparities are highlighted to provide guidance and expose gaps/opportunities for targeted physiatric growth. Correspondence: Danielle Perret Karimi, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Irvine, 101 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868 Author Disclosures: All authors state no competing interests, funding, grants or equipment provided for the project from any source; nor financial benefits to the authors. There are no previous presentations or submissions of this research. Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://ift.tt/2p9uyCB