Article

This survey was completed on 600 medical residents in 19 randomly selected
teaching hospitals from three Iranian medical universities to delineate some
possible factors associated with medical residents' awareness of and attitude
toward 11 specified areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R).
Fifty-four percent of the participants had a history of consultation with
physiatrists. Male residents and those with history of general medicine education
in a university having a residency program in PM&R were the most likely to
consult with physiatrists. Age and graduation date were not significant
predictors of consultation. Residency specialty was the most powerful covariate
of consultation rate, with the highest rate of consultation in neurosurgery,
neurology, and orthopedics. The best known areas of PM&R were rehabilitation of
central nervous system disorders, electrodiagnostic studies, and prescription of
physical modalities. The most requested areas of PM&R for collaboration were
therapeutic exercise, musculoskeletal and rheumatic disorders, and geriatric
rehabilitation. Overall, the residents of various specialties showed different
levels of familiarity and attitude toward the different areas of PM&R. This
indicates that specific programs are needed to improve PM&R collaboration with
all specialties. Policy makers in all levels, from hospital administrators to the
ministry of health, need to further enhance the familiarity of medical residents
with the field PM&R.

Langue : ANGLAIS