Editorial: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education – Past, Present and Future

Abstract

Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) is an important specialty in modern health care system, especially in the developed countries. The focus of the specialty revolves around achievement of maximum functional potential of patients with impairments and disabilities. It improves the quality of life of the patients as well as the care givers by decreasing their burden. Professionals working in physical medicine and rehabilitation deal the patients with disability to reduce the impact of their disease or disability on their daily life, to prevent avoidable complications and to minimize the effects  of changing disability. PRM is an excellent example of inter disciplinary and multi disciplinary team approach towards total patient care that goes beyond the hospital settings and helps them to reintegrate back in the society. The specialty works as a collaborative team at tertiary care rehabilitation settings where physiatrists act as team leaders and managers to achieve specific goals. The PRM team include rehabilitation medicine physician, physical therapist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, prosthetist and orthotist, Rehab nurses, Rehab engineers and social workers.