Elevator Public Statement

[Hemisphere]

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I just got my issue of THE PHYSIATRIST in the mail today, and boy I think that elevator statement has got 3 MAJOR PROBLEMS . Here's why and what I propose to revise it:

Dear Ms. Constantine,

I have not had success with the elevator statment issued
for the following reason. 1st I agree with the term rehabilitation physician, but would add the word "physical rehabilitation doctors" since most of the american public thinks of "rehabiliation" as a drug or alcohol program rather than physical rehab.

2nd, it is arrogant to imply we are "experts" of the bones, muscles, brains AND nerves!! This statement does not apply to subspecialists in pain who are not experts in the brain at all or spine experts who are not experts in the muscles and bones. Furthermore, it is arrogant because in my opinion neurologists and neurosurgeons are THE EXPERTS of the brain, orthopedists are THE EXPERTS of the bones. The Public and others in the medical field KNOW there are OTHER EXPERTS/SPECIALISTS already doing that. It doesn't answer what WE DO.

Also, the word nonsurgical is not good either, it may offend our surgical colleagues, or even patients who have had surgeries already may feel we are not working TOGETHER with their condition if we say we are NONSURGICAL.

Therefore the elevator statement is a good start, but propose the following revision:

"Physical rehabilitation doctors are SPECIALISTS in diagnosing and restoring function to damaged nerves, muscles, brains, and bones, through medicines, therapies, pain management, and adaptive equipment."


Feel free to share this with others if anyone is still listening.

Thanks!

 

[kaizen]

I agree that the statement needs a bit of tweaking. My reasons are different from yours but I do like changing 'experts' to 'specialists'. I do not like the term physical rehabilitation doctors because I feel the use of the word 'physical', while historical, lends itself to a limited view of our scope of practice. Frankly, I would like to see the term removed all together in order to stop people from confusing me with a physical therapist. But I digress...


"Rehabilitation doctors are specialists in diagnosing and restoring function to damaged nerves, muscles, brains, and bones, through medicines, therapies, pain management, and adaptive equipment."


If I can come up with something more poetic, I'll post it. Does anyone else have suggestions?