The history of physical medicine and rehabilitation as recorded in the diary of Dr. Frank Krusen: Part 4. Triumph over adversity (1954-1969).

Abstract

This article, the last of four based on the diary of Dr. Frank H. Krusen, picks up the story of physiatry's conflict with other medical specialty groups within the American Medical Association. The conflict was focused on PM&R's use of the term "rehabilitation," but the underlying motive of groups opposing physical medicine was to limit the scope of physiatric practice. Dr. Krusen organized a well-documented and successful defense of the specialty and opened the door to the development of comprehensive care of persons with disabilities. Also related here are Dr. Krusen's legislative and public relations contributions to PM&R from 1963 until his retirement from Tufts-New England Medical Center in 1969. Dr. Krusen retired to Cape Cod and died there in 1973.