The Physiatrist / PASSOR Update

In Brief: PASSOR President Heidi Prather, DO, updates the Academy membership on the plans for PASSOR activities to evolve to help unify the specialty.

I was honored to recently meet and visit with Joseph Honet, MD, and Maury Ellenberg, MD, at Wayne State. Dr. Honet began (and was later joined by Dr. Ellenberg) publishing in the field of musculoskeletal medicine before it was popular or even recognized as a significant part of our field. They knew what the need would be before it was trendy! When I give an evidence-based lecture regarding conservative management of cervical spine, I cite their original work

Dr. Honet asked me about my own involvement in PASSOR and “how is the transformation going?” Wow, I was impressed! Dr. Honet is a few months into retirement but recognized that the field is going through yet another change. His insight to me was the following: PASSOR was really necessary at the time of its inception. At that time, we needed an organized manner in which to educate and promote musculoskeletal practitioners. As the Academy changes, so will PASSOR. PASSOR has accomplished what it set out to do.

Dr. Honet didn’t need a committee or board conference call (like I do) to recognize the evolution. We agree that this is a process that will be slow over a period, and should be gradual in its time course.

PASSOR has been an integral part of promoting the practice of musculoskeletal medicine and has served its members well concerning education and evolving roles in research. As the Academy transforms, so should PASSOR. The educational and research programs/processes PASSOR has put into place will continue but will reach a broader audience. Currently, the membership number of PASSOR has plateaued, but the number of physiatrists practicing musculoskeletal medicine has grown. The numbers make it evident that even the musculoskeletal voice within the Academy is not unified. If the structure of PASSOR changes from what we know it as today, and its programs become a mainstay part of the Academy, everyone will benefit. Musculo-skeletal care is an integral part of any subspecialty of PM&R from brain injury to cancer to spinal injuries.

The Academy leadership recently appointed a Membership Committee workgroup to consider the topic of Academy transformation. The workgroup initially started as a PASSOR task force to address PASSOR integration, but has since evolved with a broader focus, addressing the manner in which the Academy structure can be modified to respond to our evolving member-ship while also advancing the interests and objectives of all of its members. This group will discuss, debate, and design potential models for membership constituency representation and present recom-mendations to the AAPM&R Membership Committee for consideration and approval. The workgroup has expanded to include additional constituency representation from the Special Interest Group (SIG) committee and various SIGs.

This group will also help shepherd successful PASSOR programs and processes to remain a part of the Academy. In other words, keep what is “good” going. Your comments are welcome. Please contact Katrina Holland at the Academy national office for information or to become involved. Be a part of the process.

Change is good, but often the process is uncomfortable. The time is right for PASSOR to transform to a main stay part of the Academy instead of an independent council. When compared to many other specialties, physical medicine and rehabilitation is small in number. Our voice will be better heard and greater in volume if we are unified. Thank you for your insight Dr. Honet. We will carry on what you and many others started.