Administrative physiatry.

Results of a mail survey of physiatrists and residents in physical medicine and rehabilitation indicate that physiatrists need administrative/managerial skills in their practices. For physiatrists to initiate new programs, they need skills in program planning and development, resource management, and similar areas. Experience gained as chief resident appears to have a positive bearing on gaining administrative/managerial skills. Similarly, experience in dealing with multidisciplinary treatment teams also seems to help. However, survey results indicate that formal training to acquire administrative/managerial skills or to lead multidisciplinary treatment teams is not offered in many residency programs. Physical medicine and rehabilitation residency curricula require that residents learn management techniques consistent with their team leadership roles. We suggest several methods of offering formal training to residents and to physiatrists in practice, via continuing education.