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The primary aim of this study was to compare ethnic/racial diversity in academic physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) with all other medical specialties in academia. The secondary aim was to characterize the ethnic/racial diversity of current PM&R program directors. self-reported ethnicity/race information was collected from the Association of American Medical Colleges and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Ethnicity/race was defined as white, Asian, African American, Hispanic, and other. odds ratios (ORs) and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare ethnic/racial differences at each career level between each specialty. in 2017, in PM&R, compared with whites, there was decreased odds of African Americans by 89% (OR, 0.11), 90% for Hispanics (OR, 0.10), 62% for Asians (OR, 0.38), and 73% for other (OR, 0.27) (all P < 0.001). This disparity increased in full professors: 99% (OR, 0.01), 96% (OR, 0.04), 87% (OR, 0.13), and 90% (OR, 0.10), respectively (all P < 0.001). In 2019, most PM&R program directors identified as white (51%) compared with Hispanic (4%) and African American (2%). Overall, ethnic/racial underrepresented minorities in medicine decreased with increasing academic rank. Therefore, more robust initiatives must be implemented to improve the exposure, recruitment, and retention of ethnic/racial underrepresented minorities at all levels of PM&R academia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aim of this study was to compare ethnic/racial diversity in academic physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) with all other medical specialties in academia. The secondary aim was to characterize the ethnic/racial diversity of current PM&R program directors. self-reported ethnicity/race information was collected from the Association of American Medical colleges and Accreditation council for Graduate Medical Education. Ethnicity/race was defined as white, Asian, African American, Hispanic, and other. odds ratios (ORs) and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare ethnic/ racial differences at each career level between each specialty. in 2017, in PM&R, compared with whites, there was decreased odds of African Americans by 89% (OR, 0.11), 90% for Hispanics (OR, 0.10), 62% for Asians (OR, 0.38), and 73% for other (OR, 0.27) (all P < 0.001). This disparity increased in full professors: 99% (OR, 0.01), 96% (OR, 0.04), 87% (OR, 0.13), and 90% (OR, 0.10), respectively (all P < 0.001). In 2019, most PM&R program directors identified as white (51%) compared with Hispanic (4%) and African American (2%). Overall, ethnic/racial underrepresented minorities in medicine decreased with increasing academic rank. Therefore, more robust initiatives must be implemented to improve the exposure, recruitment, and retention of ethnic/racial underrepresented minorities at all levels of PM&R academia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. The aim of the study was to assess physiatrists' knowledge of the cost of medications commonly prescribed at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation units across the spectrum of practice experience from residents to attending physicians. Investigators contacted 92 pharmacies across four major regions of the United States and averaged the cash price of each medication. An electronic survey was created highlighting 17 medications in which physicians estimated the cost of a medication per pill and per month for a 30-day supply. Surveys were sent to all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited programs across the United States; 43 participants responded to the survey. Most respondents overestimated the cost of the medications chosen for the survey. There was no significant difference between medication cost knowledge and practice experience (P = 0.497) or postgraduate year of training (P = 0.593). This raises awareness that physiatrists may not know the cost of medications they commonly prescribe at discharge, which may have implications on patient medication compliance, quality of care, and patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous retrospective studies suggest that early physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) consultation for trauma patients improves outcome and reduces acute care length of stay (LOS). There have not been controlled studies to evaluate this impact. This study assesses the impact of PM&R consultations on acute trauma patients. Design: This study compared measured outcomes before and after the introduction of a PM&R consultation service to the trauma program at a large academic hospital. The primary outcome measure was acute care LOS. Results: The 274 historical controls and 76 patients who received a PM&R consultation were not different in injury severity score, age, or sex. Length of stay was not different between the two groups. However, when early (≤8 days after injury) versus late (>8 days) consults were compared, the early group had a markedly lower LOS (12 vs. 30 days, P < 0.001). When adjusted for injury severity score, an early consult was associated with an 11.8-day lower LOS (P < 0.001). The early consult group also had fewer complications and less usage of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. Conclusions: An acute care PM&R consultation of 8 days or less after admission is associated with a shorter acute care LOS, fewer complications, and less use of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the efforts of the Center for Workforce Studies at the Association of American Medical Colleges on the overall physician workforce, and a review of data and general trends related to physiatry. It also reviews the reasons for collecting and analyzing physician workforce data and the reasons for the association's recommendation for a 30% increase in the U.S. medical school enrollment. According to the authors, the available data suggest that the country is likely to face an overall shortage of physicians because demand is expected to rise and supply is anticipated to level off.