Integration of physical medicine and rehabilitation into a medical school curriculum: musculoskeletal evaluation and rehabilitation.

Abstract

The issue of increasing awareness of the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation is a primary concern of physiatrists in both teaching hospitals and private practice. Over the years, exposure to this specialty in medical schools has decreased, although there is simultaneously an increasing awareness of the importance of providing adequate musculoskeletal education for medical students. The authors describe one institution's success at integrating musculoskeletal medicine education, along with exposure to patients with chronic disease and disability. Curriculum content and a unique musculoskeletal skills acquisition test are discussed. Increased exposure to the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation in medical school can introduce numerous benefits for both the specialty and musculoskeletal education as a whole.