Characteristics of pediatric rehabilitation training offered by physical medicine and rehabilitation residencies.

Abstract

Pediatric physiatry is a growing subspecialty. A survey was designed to determine the nature of pediatric rehabilitation training in physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs in the United States. Sixty-five programs (93%) responded. More than three quarters of the programs required three months or more in pediatric rehabilitation, usually in the HO-III or HO-IV year. Forty-two percent of the programs had an even balance of inpatient and outpatient clinical opportunities. Approximately half offered exposure to a separate pediatric rehabilitation ward, and 82% placed residents in a general pediatric rehabilitation clinic. Advanced training has become more widespread in pediatric rehabilitation, with 46% of the residency programs having preceptors with board certification in pediatrics and physiatry or fellowship training, and 42% of the programs responding offering advanced training opportunities in pediatric rehabilitation.