Forum for leadership in preventive medicine: impact on the specialty of aerospace medicine.
BACKGROUND
The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) has just published. The Specialty of Preventive Medicine: Leadership in Medicine for the 21st Century (Forum Report). The Forum Report summarizes a 3-yr effort by leaders of the ACPM, American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), professional organizations, residency training programs, and residents-in-training to examine the critical issues facing the specialty of Preventive Medicine (PM) and to develop a vision and strategies for the future. The Forum Report could have profound repercussions on the specialty of Aerospace Medicine (ASM).


METHODS
The author reviewed the history behind the development of the Forum Report and assessed the Report's recommendations with respect to their possible ramifications on the specialty of ASM.


RESULTS
The Forum Report includes 34 recommendations to enhance the specialty of PM. Of most interest to the ASM community is the Forum's conclusion that the most critical issue facing PM is unification of the specialty. It recommends, therefore, that the ABPM establish PM certification for all individuals at the end of the practicum year, with area certification [Occupational Medicine (OM), General Preventive Medicine/Public Health (GPM/PH), and ASM) occurring only after more specialized training and practice.


CONCLUSIONS
The ASM community needs to be aware of the Forum Report's recommendations and enter the debate on the viability of the specialty of ASM. The Aerospace Medical Association should take the lead in this effort.
Mork
M R
MR
U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, San Antonio, TX, USA.
D000337:Aerospace Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002568:Certification; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States