Struggle for identity: the turbulent 1960s
Johnson, E.W.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 69(Special Issue): 20-25
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9993 PMID: 3056325 Document Number: 326423
I. STRUGGLE FOR IDENTITY. The controversy about the name of the Academy surfaced again soon after the 3rd International Congress in Washington in 1960. Watkins reemphasized the need to pronounce it "phys-i-a'trist" and suggested that we be called the American Academy of Physiatrics. Krusen responded by suggesting that the name, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation should be retained since the rest of the world wouldn't recognize us. He pointed out that he had just surveyed 40 countries in the developing phase of physical medicine and rehabilitation, and would not want to confuse the issue. Clearly the field of PM&R will be defined by those who practice the specialty. II. LEGISLATION. The legislation initiating Medicare was extraordinarily influential in redefining the specialty. The legislation creating the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the subsequent funding of rehabilitation research and training centers engendered an increased awareness in the academic community of the need for rehabilitation medicine. III. CHANGES IN EDUCATION. The Academy gradually increased in number of members, and began to influence the training of residents with the development of a Resident Guide. Many of the senior members of the Academy re-emphasized the need for research to expand new knowledge and all generated a plea for more academic physiatrists. The R&T centers did provide a mechanism to increase the residency training. The role of the physiatrist in the medical school was defined and promoted in colleague with other specialties.