History of the Specialty of PM&R

The Beginning

One of the specialty’s true pioneers was Frank H. Krusen, MD. Having undergone treatment for his own tuberculosis, Dr. Krusen later researched the uses of physical medicine and soon made it his career.  After initiating a program in physical therapy at Temple University, Dr. Krusen moved to Mayo Clinic in 1936 where he developed a Department of Physical Medicine. His training program there developed into the first three-year residency in physical medicine in the United States.

Dr. Krusen along with fourteen other “physical therapy physicians” (as physiatrists were known at the time) found themselves with different interests and concerns than their colleagues the physical therapists and radiologists. They began to promote physical medicine as a specialty. They asked the American Medical Association (AMA) for specialty status and an examining board for physical medicine. 

In 1938, Dr. Krusen proposed the term “physiatrist” to identify the physician specializing in physical medicine. To avoid confusion with psychiatry, he proposed a different pronunciation, with emphasis on the third syllable. However, it wasn’t until 1946 that the AMA sponsored the term. 

The American Board of Physical Medicine

Starting in 1936, Dr. Krusen and 13 other pioneering physiatrists began a decade of work to establish physical medicine and rehabilitation as a specialty. During those years there were many meetings and letters between physiatrists, the AMA, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), and specialty boards already in existence. Many supported the idea, including the War Department and the US Navy.  Everyone agreed there should be certification, but opinions differed on how it should be based and financed. Some thought physical medicine should have its own specialty status, while others thought certification should be a division of another existing specialty board. Academy members also considered forming an autonomous board on their own with the hope that it might later be recognized by ABMS.

In early 1947, Drs. Krusen, Walter Zeiter, and John Coulter presented yet another revamped plan for the organization and financing of an American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to ABMS. This time they succeeded. On February 27, the American Board of Physical Medicine was incorporated. It was officially recognized by ABMS and the AMA, and Dr. Krusen was named the first chairman. 

That year, almost 80 physicians took the first Board exam in Minneapolis. Written exams were given on the first day and oral exams were given on the second day. Later that month, 91 physiatrists were approved as charter diplomates in physical medicine. Around 30 of the physical medicine “pioneers” received certification without having to take the exam. 

Go to the History of the Academy