Physiatrists as Leaders in Lifestyle Medicine: A Survey of PM&R Residents

Abstract

Introduction: Lifestyle is the root cause of most chronic disease, disability, and death. Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is an established, board certifiable field of medicine. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is a multidisciplinary field which focuses on function and quality of life. The symbiosis of PM&R and LM is increasingly being recognized. Objective: To gauge the awareness of, use of, and interest in LM of PM&R residents and ask if they think PM&R physicians should be leaders in LM. Methods: Cross sectional survey of PM&R residents across PM&R programs in the USA. Results: Fifty-three percent of PM&R residents were familiar with LM. 85 and 84% of their medical schools and residencies had no LM education. PM&R residents “sometimes” included LM principles in their patient encounters. 88 and 89% of PM&R residents thought that medical schools and residencies should have LM education and 78% thought that PM&R physicians should be leaders of LM. Conclusions: This is the first study assessing the views on LM of PM&R residents. Despite the fact that PM&R residents lacked LM education, over half knew about LM. The vast majority felt that there should be more LM education in medical school and residency, and that PM&R physicians should be leaders of LM.