title: Factors influencing interest in providing MS patient care among physiatry residents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rehabilitation care is an important part of comprehensive care for MS patients. Little is known about the number of physiatry residents who are interested in providing care to individuals with multiple sclerosis [MS].
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examines factors that influence physiatry residents' interest in providing care to MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly sampled half of all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs in the continental United States and Puerto Rico. Surveys were received from 74% of programs (Stage 1 response rate) and from 221 residents (45% Stage 2 response rate).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Residents expressing interest in providing MS care were more likely to be female, Asian, and to select statements emphasizing multidisciplinary care approaches and a community of dedicated professional colleagues as positive features of MS patient care. Residents interested in teaching and with more education debt were marginally more likely to express interest in MS care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical education should emphasize the need for physical medicine and rehabilitative care among individuals with MS, the ability of physiatrists to improve the functional status and quality of life for MS patients, and the team-based nature of MS care.
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C. and Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C. and Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Halpern
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C. and Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teixeira-Poit
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C. and Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Corey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C. and Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C. and Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Murrey
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olmsted
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Shana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D010810:Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; education; medical; physiatry; physical and rehabilitation medicine