Defining physiatry and future scope of rehabilitation medicine

Ann Rehabil Med. 2011 Aug;35(4):445-9. doi: 10.5535/arm.2011.35.4.445. Epub 2011 Aug 31.

Abstract

To identify the 'physiatry' in a single word is difficult. This may be due that physiatry originated from two different fields, physical medicine and rehabilitation and focuses on assisting the general improvement of functional recovery in disabled patients. In addition, physiatry has new markets to develop; health and welfare. Therefore, the identity of physiatry will change depending on how physiatrists act in these fields. We attempt to define the physiatry from several aspects.

Keywords: Health and welfare; Identity; Physiatry.