Integrating physical medicine and rehabilitation into the curriculum of Iranian medical students

Purpose. To evaluate the attitude of interns toward Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and design a PM&R curriculum for medical students with continued medical education programmes and workshops based on the needs and interest of Iranian medical community.

Method. Eighty questionnaires were distributed to the medical interns on the last day after attendance in the PM&R ward after participating in a one-month outpatient and inpatient course including 12 lectures.

Results. Out of 80 participants, 34 (42.5%) were female and 46 (57.5%) were male. All the participants believed participating in a rehabilitation course was necessary; 52 (65%) believed that participating in a separate course of PM&R was necessary, and 28 (35%) believed that rehabilitation of each field of medicine should be presented in its course. A significant percentage (31.4%) of the participants were interested in continuing their education in PM&R specialty.

Conclusion. The enthusiasm of the medical students towards PM&R is a promising sign toward progress of PM&R in Iran which must be directed through a strong effort of physiatrists through setting up appropriate educational programmes for medical students and continued medical education programme s in the universities.