Assessing the Field of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine's Interest in Expanding Fellowship Training to Pediatricians.

Background: Training opportunities to pursue a career in pediatric rehabilitation medicine (PRM) have evolved over the last 40 years, with the most recent change being the development and accreditation of PRM fellowships and subspecialty certification in PRM. Currently the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (ABPMR) requires all candidates for PRM subspecialty certification to have completed a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residency. The small number of certified PRM physicians has prompted debate within the field about permitting pediatricians to enter PRM fellowships without having to complete a PM&R residency.

Objective: To assess the level of interest within the field of PRM in creating a pathway to PRM for pediatricians.

Design: Survey of pediatric physiatrists in the United States in 2017.

Setting: National.

Participants: Pediatric physiatrists.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measurements: Favorability toward pediatricians becoming certified in PRM.

Results: Most respondents (62%) were in favor of pediatricians having the opportunity to pursue training in PRM, with an increase in support (70%) after being introduced to workforce issues in PRM. Training time for pediatricians was the largest concern identified by respondents who were not in favor (80%), with additional themes identified including dilution of the essence of the field and operationalization issues.

Conclusions: With a small number of practicing pediatric physiatrists, the growing number of children with disabilities, and the limited access to our services, most pediatric physiatrists are in agreement that it is time to consider the opportunity to expand the PRM workforce by creating a fellowship pathway to subspecialty board certification in PRM after pediatric residency.