2024 National Veterans Affairs Physiatry Survey: Workforce Demographics, Contribution to Education, and Practice Patterns.

Abstract

We conducted an online survey of 574 physiatrists in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system to assess demographics and practice patterns in July 2024 and obtained 392 responses (68.3%). The majority of the physiatry workforce reported being between the ages of 36-65 yrs old (82.1%). Most physiatrists (35%) have been employed by the VA between 1 and 5 yrs. The number of physiatrists per facility ranged from 1 to 27 and most (86%) reported being employed full-time. Only 62% of the physiatrists have a faculty appointment with their affiliated academic institution while 67% teach physical medicine and rehabilitation residents. The majority of the physiatrists (96%) are board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and 40% hold subspecialty certification. Electrodiagnostics is practiced exclusively by physical medicine and rehabilitation in 30% and is shared between physical medicine and rehabilitation and neurology in 64%. The most commonly reported practice type for physiatrists in the VA system was outpatient musculoskeletal medicine. Joint and soft tissue injections top the list of procedures performed by physiatrists. About 11% perform spinal injections. Use of orthobiologics for was reported by 14%. The greatest need identified was cancer rehabilitation. This VA physiatry workforce sheds light into the evolving practice of physiatry and future needs, essential for program and succession planning.