The state of physical medicine and rehabilitation in Iowa: 2000-2005.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to to describe the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation within Iowa from 2000-2005 by conducting a survey of the 30 practicing physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians in Iowa.


RESULTS
Nine of 15 respondents completed medical school or residency training in midwest states. Physiatrists expressed numerous concerns including poor reimbursement, increasing malpractice costs, and difficulty recruiting physiatrists to Iowa. Iowa is ranked 49th in physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians per capita population. It also ranks 50th in Medicare payments per enrollee, yet is ranked fourth in the nation for percentage of citizens over the age of 65.


CONCLUSIONS
Recruitment of physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians should be tailored toward resident physicians completing training programs from midwest states. Retention of Iowa physiatrists, due to Iowa's lack of a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency training program, low Medicare reimbursement, and high percentage of patients over the age of 65, may lead to a "perfect storm" public health crisis for Iowans regarding the availability of future physical medicine and rehabilitation services.
Chen
Joseph J
JJ
Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Health Care, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Joseph-Chen@uiowa.edu
D007484:Iowa; D010810:Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires