Opportunities and challenges in musculoskeletal medicine training. A survey of British rehabilitation medicine trainees

Abstract

Background and objective

The curriculum for training in rehabilitation medicine (for doctors) in the United Kingdom requires 6 months of mandatory training in musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine. Current training content and scope vary considerably between different deaneries (regions) within the UK. They also differ significantly from MSK medicine training in other European countries. This national survey was designed to gather information on the MSK medicine training undergone by UK rehabilitation medicine trainees, their opinions as to how well it matched their perceived needs, and how it should be delivered in the future.

Methods

All trainees from the rehabilitation medicine trainee database were invited to participate in developing a questionnaire for the survey. A 13-item questionnaire was devised and sent to all trainees to respond.

Results

Thirty-nine out of 48 (81%) trainees completed the questionnaire. Seventy-seven per cent of them felt that it was appropriate for rehabilitation physicians to be involved in the management of non-inflammatory (MSK) conditions. Fifty-one per cent agreed that there were insufficient MSK medical consultant posts and 36% reported that they did not have an identifiable dedicated MSK service in their hospital. Thirty-six per cent felt that the current training was not adequate and the recommended training period of 6 months was insufficient. Seventy-four per cent felt that British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (BSRM) should have a Special Interest Group (SIG) in MSK medicine. Eighty-five per cent suggested that the area of MSK medicine should expand to bring it in line with other European countries. Fifty-nine per cent liked the name ‘Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine’ for the specialty.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of rehabilitation medicine trainees felt that current training opportunities and employment potential in MSK medicine were limited. Most of the trainees expressed interest in further expansion of the current training curriculum to align it with that available to trainees in other European countries.

Keywords:

• Physical and rehabilitation medicine
• United Kingdom

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the trainees who participated in designing the questionnaire and congratulate all the trainees for the excellent response rate. We thank Professor Anne Chamberlain, Professor Bipinchandra Bhakta, Dr Vera Neumann and Dr Rory O'Connor for their guidance and support in conducting this survey. They have also kindly reviewed this manuscript and given valuable suggestions.