Scoping Review of Interventions and Experiences Increasing Medical Student Interest in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

ABSTRACT: Increasing medical student exposure to physical medicine and rehabilitation is an important factor for future growth of the field. Therefore, it is important to determine which types of interventions during medical school have the greatest impact on medical students' decision to pursue a career in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to perform a scoping review of the current literature that has analyzed how different interventions and experiences impact medical school students' decision to pursue a career in physical medicine and rehabilitation. A systematic and comprehensive search strategy was implemented across five different journal databases and yielded 18 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Most studies analyzing specific interventions looked only at presurvey and postsurvey comparisons of the immediate impact of the intervention on interest in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and few looked at longitudinal outcomes, such as match characteristics. The most frequently cited factor that was shown to positively impact interest in physical medicine and rehabilitation was early exposure. Participating in clinical rotations also had a positive impact but was most effective when combined with early exposure. This review highlights the need for national recommendations for integrating physical medicine and rehabilitation into all 4 yrs of medical education.

Training Characteristics, Academic Accomplishments, and Motivation of Current Program Directors in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to report the training characteristics, academic accomplishments, and motivation of current US academic physical medicine and rehabilitation program directors.A 22-question survey was developed and disseminated via email in May 2020 to 91 current residency program directors who are members of the Association of Academic Physiatrists Residency Fellowship Program Director Committee. Follow-up emails were sent 2 and 4 wks after initial distribution, and the survey was closed after 6 wks in June 2020. Data collected were deidentified. Descriptive analysis was performed.Response rate was 49.5% (45/91); 64.4% of program directors were men, and 35.6% were women. Of the respondents, 75.4% were White/Caucasian, 6.7% were Hispanic/Latinx, 15.6% were Asian, and 2.2% were Black/African American. Moreover, 56% (9/16) of female program directors vs. 0% (0/29) of male program directors reported experiencing sex discrimination in the workplace.Four percent of program directors were full professors in physical medicine and rehabilitation when first appointed, 17% were associate professors, and 72% were assistant professors. Thirty-four percent of program directors had at least six peer-reviewed publications when first appointed.This survey provides insight to the training characteristics, accomplishments, and motivation of current program directors for physiatrists aspiring to enter these ranks and highlights the underrepresentation of women/minorities among leadership positions in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Governmental Policies on Rehabilitation Services and Physical Medicine in Jordan: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Although the COVID-19 pandemic led to a series of governmental policies and regulations around the world, the effect of these policies on access to and provision of rehabilitation services has not been examined, especially in low and middle- income countries. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of governmental policies and procedures on the number of patients who accessed rehabilitation services in the public sector in Jordan during the pandemic and to examine the combined effect of sociodemographic factors (age and gender) and the governmental procedures on this number of patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on records of 32,503 patients who visited the rehabilitation center between January 2020 and February 2021. Interrupted time-series analysis was conducted with three periods and by age and gender. Results: The number of patients who visited the rehabilitation clinics decreased significantly between January 2020 and May 2020 due to government-imposed policies, then increased significantly until peaking in September 2020 (p = 0.0002). Thereafter, the number of patients decreased between October 2020 and February 2021 as a result of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.02). The numbers of male and female patients did not differ (p > 0.05). There were more patients aged 20 years and older attending rehabilitation clinics than younger patients during the first strict lock down and the following reduction of restriction procedures periods (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The COVID-19 public measures in Jordan reduced access to rehabilitation services. New approaches to building resilience and access to rehabilitation during public health emergencies are needed. A further examination of strategies and new approaches to building resilience and increasing access to rehabilitation during public health emergencies is warranted.

Medida por consenso del estado de la innovación en medicina física y rehabilitación / Consensus measurement of innovation in physical medicine and rehabilitation

Objetivo: Valorar el estado actual y el potencial de innovación del colectivo de profesionales de la especialidad médica de medicina física y rehabilitación (MFRHB) en España. Método: Se aplicaron 3técnicas consecutivas mediante herramientas digitales para el consenso entre profesionales: primero de forma síncrona a un colectivo de 17 profesionales, después se extendió a un colectivo de 169 que participaron de forma asíncrona y la tercera técnica se realizó de forma síncrona con 25 médicos especialistas en MFRHB. Resultados: Se dispuso del análisis consensuado por los propios profesionales sobre el potencial de innovación del colectivo realizado en octubre y noviembre del 2020: situación de partida, puntos fuertes y puntos débiles, así como sus prioridades en innovación. Conclusiones: Los médicos especialistas en MFRHB consideran que la innovación podría mejorar el coste efectividad de los servicios y podría aumentar su eficiencia clínica; también consideran que para innovar necesitan una relación estrecha con la industria.(AU)

Objective: To measure by consensus the level of innovation and its potential within the physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) medical specialists. method: Three consecutive techniques are applied using digital tools for consensus among professionals, first synchronously to a group of 17 professionals; posteriorly extended to a group of 169 professionals who participate asynchronously and the third technique is done synchronously with 25 physiatrists. Results: The analysis of the consensus done by the PM&R physicians on the innovation potential of the group during October and November 2020 shows: starting situation, strengths and weaknesses, as well as their innovation priorities. Conclusions: PM&R physicians believe that innovation could improve the cost-effectiveness of their departments, and could increase their clinical efficiency, also that to innovate they need a close relationship with the industry.(AU)

Fabricación de modelos anatómicos articulares para formación en intervencionismo ecoguiado / Anatomic joint models for eco-guided interventionism training manufacture

Introducción: El intervencionismo ecoguiado ha supuesto un cambio en la forma en que los especialistas de medicina física y rehabilitación se enfrentan al dolor musculoesquelético y a otros problemas como la espasticidad. La implantación de las unidades de intervencionismo ecoguiado mejora los resultados de los tratamientos mínimamente invasivos, habituales en la práctica clínica de nuestra especialidad. El mayor inconveniente de esta práctica es la larga curva de aprendizaje y la dificultad para llevar a cabo prácticas durante los cursos de formación. Objetivo: Desarrollar un sistema de fantomas que permita la práctica de intervencionismo en modelos anatómicos acortando los tiempos de aprendizaje y mejorando la certeza al alcanzar el objetivo de la práctica intervencionista. Métodos: Se describe el método de fabricación de modelos tridimensionales de articulaciones a partir de imágenes obtenidas de tomografía axial computarizada, y su inclusión posterior en moldes realizados con gelatina alimenticia, que permiten obtener unos fantomas similares a modelos articulares reales que posibilitan su estudio mediante técnicas de ecografía y la práctica del intervencionismo ecoguiado. Conclusión: Los modelos articulares tridimensionales con gelatina alimenticia son útiles en la práctica y aprendizaje de las técnicas de intervencionismo ecoguiado articular.(AU)

Introduction: Eco-guided interventionism has changed the way Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists deal with musculoskeletal pain and other problems such as spasticity. The implementation of the Eco-Guided Intervention Units improves the results of the usual minimally invasive treatments in our speciality's clinical practice. The biggest drawback of this practice is the long learning curve and the difficulty of practice during training courses. Objective: To develop a system of phantoms that allow the practice of interventionism in anatomical models by shortening learning times and improving certainty by achieving the objective of interventionist practice. Methods: Describes the method of manufacturing three-dimensional models of joints with images obtained from computerized axial tomography, and their subsequent inclusion in gelatin's made molds, which allow to obtain phantoms, similar to real joint models, that allow to study using ultrasound techniques, and the practice of eco-guided interventionism. Conclusion: Three-dimensional joint models made with gelatin are useful in the practice and learning of joint eco-guided interventionism techniques.(AU)

Nervio mediano trífido. Una variante anatómica infrecuente en la exploración ecográfica del túnel del carpo / Trifid median nerve. A rare anatomical variant in sonographic evaluation of carpal tunnel

El estudio ecográfico para el diagnóstico del síndrome del túnel del carpo puede ponernos de manifiesto distintas variantes anatómicas. Una variante poco común es la presencia de un nervio mediano trífido, que puede ser de importancia en una posterior planificación quirúrgica. Varón de 52 años, con clínica compatible con síndrome del túnel del carpo bilateral. Se realiza una evaluación ecográfica, visualizándose un nervio mediano bífido en la muñeca derecha y un nervio mediano trífido en la izquierda como variantes de la normalidad. La aparición de un tercer elemento nervioso en el túnel del carpo debe ser diferenciado de una persistencia de la arteria mediana a nivel del túnel del carpo junto a un nervio mediano bífido, mucho más habitual. Para ello, es fundamental la visualización ecográfica de la zona de estudio mediante la utilización de la función Doppler, como vemos en el caso clínico que presentamos.(AU)

The ultrasound study for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome can reveal different anatomical variants. A rare variant is the presence of a trifid median nerve. The visualization of this anatomical variant may be of importance in the surgical planning of carpal tunnel syndrome. Fifty-two-year-old male, with a clinic compatible with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. In the ultrasound examination, a bifid median nerve appears as a finding in the right wrist and a trifid median nerve in the left wrist as anatomical variants. It is important to distinguish a trifid median nerve from a persistent median artery at the level of the carpal tunnel, much more frequent than the first. For this, the ultrasound visualization of the study area using the Doppler function is essential.(AU)

Challenges and Opportunities in Academic Physiatry: An Environmental Scan.

ABSTRACT: Environmental scans determine trends in an organization's or field's internal and external environment. The results can help shape goals, inform strategic decision making, and direct future actions. The Association of Academic Physiatrists convened a strategic planning group in 2020, composed of physiatrists representing a diversity of professional roles, career stages, race and ethnicity, gender, disability status, and geographic areas of practice. This strategic planning group performed an environmental scan to assess the forces, trends, challenges, and opportunities affecting both the Association of Academic Physiatrists and the entire field of academic physiatry (also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical and rehabilitation medicine, and rehabilitation medicine). This article presents aspects of the environmental scan thought to be most pertinent to the field of academic physiatry organized within the following five themes: (1) Macro/Societal Trends, (2) Technological Advancements, (3) Diversity and Global Outreach, (4) Economy, and (5) Education/Learning Environment. The challenges and opportunities presented here can provide a roadmap for the field to thrive within the complex and evolving healthcare systems in the United States and globally.

Test of the Rehabilitation Goal Screening (ReGoS) Tool to Support Decision Making and Goal Setting in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Practice.

BACKGROUND: It has already been shown that it is feasible to use International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Sets as self-assessment instruments. We used this idea to design an ICF-based screening tool to assess patients of a broadly based rehabilitation department. It was developed for the purpose of having a screening tool before taking the anamnesis, as well as for rehabilitation planning and follow-up. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The Rehabilitation Goal Screening (ReGoS) instrument is a self-report questionnaire which was developed based on the most relevant domains from the ICF Core Sets for chronic pain and rehabilitation. The ICF categories were translated into plain language and 0-10 Likert scales were used. A retrospective analysis of routine clinical data using the ReGoS tool, Work Ability Index (WAI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in paper- or tablet-based form was performed. RESULTS: The average age of the N = 1.008 respondents was 53.9 years (SD = 16.2). Of the respondents, 66% (n = 665) were female. At the time of the survey, 48.3% (n = 487) of the patients were employed. ReGoS results demonstrated that the highest restrictions on a scale from 0 to 10 were found in the areas of energy and drive (M = 5.79, SD = 2.575) and activities of daily living (M = 5.54, SD = 2.778). More than a third of the respondents rated their work ability as critical. CONCLUSION: The use of the ReGoS instrument as an ICF-based screening tool based on a self-report questionnaire provides relevant information for clinical diagnosis, participative goal setting and a detailed functional capacity profile.

Estrategias favorecedoras para el tratamiento ortésico en contracturas postquemaduras en personas con lesiones graves / Favorable strategies for orthotic treatment in post-burn contractures in people with serious injuries

Objetivo: las quemaduras graves comúnmente se asocian a contracturas que generan secuelas estéticas y funcionales. A la fecha, el uso de aparatos ortésicos constituye un elemento clave en el tratamiento de dichas contracturas. El presente estudio tiene por propósito reportar recomendaciones originadas en la práctica clínica, relacionadas con estrategias favorecedoras para el tratamiento ortésico en contracturas postquemaduras graves Método: se expone desde una perspectiva narrativa y descriptiva las estrategias que, originadas en la práctica clínica diaria han resultado facilitadoras para el tratamiento ortésico en contracturas postquemaduras graves Conclusión: tras la revisión de los procedimientos clínicos asociados al tratamiento ortésico en pacientes con quemaduras graves, se reportan recomendaciones relacionadas con: estrategias para su confección y estrategias favorecedoras de adherencia al tratamiento. (AU)

Objective: Severe burns are commonly associated with contractures that generate aesthetic and functional sequelae. To date, orthotic devices of these contractures are a key element in the treatment. The main purpose of this study is to report recommendations originating in clinical practice, related to favorable strategies for orthotic treatment in severe post-burn contractures. Method: The strategies that, originated in daily clinical practice, have been facilitators for the orthotic treatment in severe post-burn contractures are exposed from a narrative and descriptive perspective. Conclusion: After reviewing the clinical procedures associated with orthotic treatment in patients with severe burns, recommendations related to: strategies for their preparation and strategies that favor adherence to treatment are reported. (AU)

Is Exercise Beneficial in Patients with Low Back Pain? - A Cochrane Review Summary with Commentary.

The aim of this commentary is to discuss from a rehabilitation perspective the Cochrane Review "Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain" (1) by Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, Malmivaara A and van Tulder MW [1] published by Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group. This Cochrane Corner is produced in agreement with Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine by Cochrane Rehabilitation with views* of the review summary authors in the "implications for practice" section. This summary is based on a Cochrane Review previously published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, Issue 9, Art. No.:CD009790, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009790.pub2 (see www.cochranelibrary.com for information). Cochrane Reviews are regularly updated as new evidence emerges and in response to feedback, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews should be consulted for the most recent version of the review. * The views expressed in the summary with commentary are those of the Cochrane Corner author (different than the original Cochrane Review authors) and do not represent the Cochrane Library or Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Guía Técnica para la rehabilitación de personas afectadas por COVID-19 / Technical Guide for the rehabilitation of people affected by COVID-19

La guía contiene los procedimientos para la rehabilitación de personas afectadas por COVID-19 con enfoque integral, en las Unidades Productoras de Servicios de Salud de Medicina de Rehabilitación (UPSS-MR) de los establecimientos de salud

Evolución y calidad de vida a los tres meses tras hospitalización por neumonía COVID / Evolution and quality of life at three months after hospitalization for COVID pneumonia

Objetivo: Conocer la evolución y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud a los tres meses del alta, en pacientes que fueron hospitalizados en el hospital de Fuenlabrada con diagnóstico de neumonía por COVID-19, valorados por el Servicio de Rehabilitación y que realizaron fisioterapia. Métodos: Se recogen datos de 59 pacientes, diferenciando los que fueron valorados en UCI (41 pacientes), de los valorados en planta de hospitalización (18). Los datos se toman de su historia clínica electrónica, y se realiza una entrevista telefónica tres meses después del alta hospitalaria. Se analizan datos de su evolución durante hospitalización, tras el alta y durante los meses siguientes, y de su situación en el momento de la entrevista. Se pide a los pacientes una valoración de la fisioterapia recibida y que contesten el cuestionario de calidad de vida relacionado con la salud SF-36. Resultados: Estos pacientes han tenido la peor evolución de su neumonía COVID de entre los ingresados en nuestro hospital, pero tuvieron una buena recuperación funcional con la fisioterapia intrahospitalaria recibida, la cual fue valorada muy positivamente por los pacientes. Después de tres meses, el 84% tienen síntomas persistentes, siendo los más frecuentes disnea, cansancio y depresión/ansiedad, y tienen peores puntuaciones en SF-36 que la población de referencia. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes que requieren rehabilitación durante su hospitalización por neumonía COVID-19, tienen síntomas persistentes y perciben un deterioro de su calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, tras tres meses del alta hospitalaria.(AU)

Objective: Assess clinical evolution and health-related quality of life at three months after discharge in patients who were admitted and diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia, evaluated by the Rehabilitation Service and received physiotherapy in Fuenlabrada Hospital. Methods: Data were collected from 59 patients, separating those who were assessed in ICU (41 patients) from those assessed in the hospital ward (18). Data were obtained from their Electronic Medical Record, and a telephone interview was performed three months after their discharge. Data about their clinical progress during their hospitalization, after discharge, over the next months and their condition at the time of the interview is analyzed. Patients were asked to assess the quality of the physiotherapy received and to answer the SF-36 health-related quality of life questionnaire. Results: These patients had the worst progress of the COVID pneumonia among all patients hospitalized in our hospital, but they had a good functional recovery with the inpatient physiotherapy received, which was positively rated. After three months, 84% have persistent symptoms, with the most common being dyspnoea, fatigue and anxiety/depression, and score worse in the SF-36 questionnaire than the reference population. Conclusions: Most patients who require rehabilitation during their COVID pneumonia admission have persistent symptoms and perceive a deterioration in their health-related quality of life after three months of discharge.(AU)

Intervención de terapia ocupacional para la mejora de la autonomía en personas postinfección por SARS-COV-2 / Occupational therapy intervention to improve autonomy in individuals postinfection by SARS-CoV-2

Introducción: En el estadio postinfección por SARS-CoV-2 la persona puede ver reducida su capacidad funcional, precisando el ingreso en unidades de rehabilitación. Objetivo: Describir un programa de terapia ocupacional para la mejora del nivel de autonomía en personas postinfección por SARS-CoV-2. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional longitudinal de 36 personas ingresadas en una unidad de hospitalización intermedia, entre abril y junio de 2020, para la recuperación funcional postinfección por SARS-CoV-2. Los participantes recibieron un programa de terapia ocupacional y se evaluó la autonomía en las actividades de la vida diaria al ingreso y alta. Resultados: Los pacientes mejoraron su autonomía en las actividades básicas (p<0,001) e instrumentales (p<0,001) de la vida diaria pero no retornaron a los niveles previos, especialmente en las actividades instrumentales. Conclusiones: Un programa de rehabilitación que incluya terapia ocupacional es efectivo para mejorar el nivel de autonomía en personas postinfección por SARS-CoV-2.(AU)

Introduction: In the post-infection stage by SARS-CoV-2, the functional capacity of the person may be reduced, requiring admission to rehabilitation units. Objective: To describe an occupational therapy program to improve the level of autonomy in the rehabilitation of individuals after the infection by SARS-CoV-2. Material and methods: Longitudinal observational study of 36 patients admitted between April and June 2020 to an intermediate care facility for functional rehabilitation after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants received an occupational therapy program and their autonomy in activities of daily living was evaluated at admission and discharge. Results: Patients improved their autonomy in basic (P<.001) and instrumental (P<.001) activities of daily living after the treatment. However, patients but did not return to their baseline levels, especially in instrumental activities. Conclusions: Rehabilitation programs that include occupational therapy are effective to improve the level of autonomy in individuals post-infection by SARS-CoV-2.(AU)