Is PM&R teetering on the precipice of a dark age?

Abstract

Physical medicine and rehabilitation has had a fascinating history of creation, growth, evolution, maturation, and challenge in the 80 or so years it has existed. Today, we are on the brink of the most serious challenges ever to face the specialty. In this address, I review briefly the history of the field, show evidence of our successes, identify the many overwhelming challenges we now face, and forecast a potential doom for our field. In the end, I offer specific strategies and tactics that the field should follow to guide us to a bright and reinvigorated future.