Advocacy Training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency.

Abstract

Health advocacy is increasingly recognized as a core professional responsibility of physicians; however, formal training in advocacy remains limited within graduate medical education. Physiatrists are uniquely positioned to participate in advocacy given their care of individuals with disabilities and intrinsic interdisciplinary care coordination to navigate the social, economic, and systemic barriers affecting health outcomes for our patients. This manuscript reviews the current perceptions of physician advocacy, the existing advocacy training models across medical specialties, and the current state of advocacy opportunities and requirements within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residency education. Drawing on existing frameworks and educational models, we outline suggestions to integrate advocacy training into PM&R residency educational offerings. Incorporating advocacy education in PM&R training may better prepare residents to address health disparities, promote patient-centered systems change, and mitigate burnout by promoting engagement in professional activities that align with physiatrists' ethical and professional priorities.