Member May: The field of Limb loss, difference, and preservation rehabilitation - Exploring clinical, education, service, and research landscapes (1.25 CME)-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this session of AAPMNR's Friday Lunch Member May, Dr. Pratik Grover, alongside co-presenters Dr. Vinay Vinodia and Dr. Marlies Gonzalez-Fernandez, led a comprehensive discussion focusing on the topics of limb loss, limb difference, and preservation rehabilitation concerning clinical practice, education, advocacy, and research. The session aimed to share insights and foster dialogue within the AAPMNR community, emphasizing the need for better coordination across the patient care continuum and the integration of PM&R in patient journeys following limb loss.<br /><br />A significant portion of the discussion highlighted the importance of bridging gaps between surgery and personalized, lifelong rehabilitation. Attendees shared models of care and discussed interprofessional collaborations with prosthetists to enhance patient outcomes. The discussion underscored the critical role that PM&R plays, though often unrecognized, in maintaining coordinated care and effective prosthetic rehabilitation programs.<br /><br />Education efforts were also examined, with insights from various residency and fellowship programs indicating an ongoing need to expand specialized training in limb rehabilitation. Despite an increase in interest among residents, challenges in fellowship placement remain, and participants discussed strategies for promoting these opportunities.<br /><br />On advocacy, the conversation concentrated on support network initiatives like peer mentorship programs and the "So Everybody Can Move" campaign for better insurance coverage for basic and lifelong prosthetic mobility. Attendees exchanged ideas on how these initiatives can be bolstered through local community engagement despite challenges with geographical limitations.<br /><br />Lastly, the forum addressed the state of research, proposing multicenter collaborations and data sharing to enhance and support evidence-based approaches in rehabilitation and healthcare policy. Participants showed an eagerness to align efforts across institutions to solidify PM&R's role and effectiveness in treatment paradigms for limb loss and difference. Overall, the session concluded with a call for shared resources, expanded peer involvement, and innovative research pursuits to improve patient care nationwide.

Keywords

limb loss

limb difference

preservation rehabilitation

clinical practice

education

advocacy

research

prosthetic rehabilitation

peer mentorship

insurance coverage

multicenter collaborations