Initial Certification Research

Published: Current Practice Focus Trends in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

This study analyzes the responses of 9,543 board-certified physiatrists who completed practice profile questions embedded in the process of annual enrollment in the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) continuing certification program between 2019 and 2023.

The profile questions addressed demographics (age, gender, years in practice and practice setting), current practice focus (12 options, plus “other”), alignment of practice focus with subspecialty board certification status, and the extent to which electromyography is a component of current physiatric practice.

A majority of PM&R physicians are male (61.9% vs. 38%), practicing full-time ((87.3%), and practicing in outpatient settings (64.9%). However, only about 34% of physiatrists reported a practice that is exclusively outpatient; most PM&R physicians practice in a combination of inpatient and outpatient settings. The majority are mid-career, with 57% between the ages of 29 and 49. Women account for a larger percentage in the youngest cohort of the study, indicating a trend for growth in women entering the specialty.

Pain medicine, sports medicine, musculoskeletal, and stroke were the most prevalent areas of practice focus. Nearly 80% of physiatrists reported more than one practice focus area, with pain, sports and musculoskeletal practices being most common. A significant minority of physiatrists chose practice focus areas more aligned with neurorehabilitation, such as spinal cord injury (23.8%), stroke (30.6%), brain injury (28%) and neuromuscular (25.4%). Physicians certified in Pediatric Rehabilitation were most likely to report that area as their sole practice focus. Physicians certified in other PM&R subspecialties reported more diverse practices extending beyond their subspecialty focus.

Electromyography (EMG) was a component of practice for 28.8% of the respondents. Younger physicians were less likely to include EMG as a practice focus.

This study captured data from nearly 98% of the 9724 actively practicing physiatrists in the United States. The information will be helpful in the ongoing revision of PM&R core residency standards and to inform strategic planning for the PM&R workforce needs of the future.

Current practice focus trends in physical medicine and rehabilitation. PM&R 2024; 16:736-744.

Carolyn L Kinney, MD; David W Pruitt, MD; Gerard E Francisco, MD; Mikaela M Raddatz, PhD; Sunil Sabharwal, MD