PHYSIATRICS AS A PRIMARY-CARE SPECIALTY

The ongoing changes in health care seek to create an affordable, acces sible, and high-quality health care delivery system for all Americans. In response to this, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is r e-examining its role in the provision of health care to the disabled, particularly the severely affected. We surveyed 100 physiatrists and 1 00 PM&R residents across the country regarding their opinions on the c ompetence, qualifications, and desire of physiatrists to provide prima ry care for the disabled. Fifty-five physiatrists and 51 residents res ponded (55% overall). Thirty-nine percent of all respondents agreed th at PM&R should be designated as a primary care specialty, and 53% beli eved that physiatrists should provide primary care to the severely dis abled (e.g., spinal cord and head injury). Overall, 53% felt that phys iatrists are competent in general medical care, but 38% are convinced that the current 4-yr PM&R residency training sufficiently prepares ph ysiatrists to assume the role of a primary care provider. Of the patie nt populations considered, the respondents thought that physiatrists s hould manage the care of spinal cord injury (60%) and head injury (51% ), but only 40% were willing to assume primary care responsibilities.