Driscoll, Sherilyn W.

Purpose: In 2022, the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) contracted with Professional Services Industries LLC to complete a Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) practice analysis. The goal was to develop an updated examination content outline that accurately depicts the knowledge and skills expected for a competent PRM physician following completion of training. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of practice analysis and to present candidate perceptions of scope of practice and relevancy of content from the first two examinations in which the new outline was applied. Methods: The practice analysis process was undertaken in four distinct stages: subject matter expert meetings to determine the tasks and knowledge areas; the development, issuance and analysis of a national survey; development of exam specifications; and results verification. Results were analyzed by a psychometrician and team to determine mean relative importance of task and knowledge items. A new outline was then created and used for the administration of the 2023 and 2024 ABPMR PRM Certification Examinations. Results: All active board certified PRM physicians identified were sent surveys via e-mail. One hundred ninety six (61.1%) respondents completed the survey. The top five task statements in order of perceived importance were performing history and physical examinations, managing muscle and tone abnormalities, prescribing orthoses and equipment, prescribing therapy services, and making appropriate specialty care referrals. The top five knowledge statements in order of perceived importance were cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, abnormal growth and development, neuromuscular disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. The new PRM Examination content outline created included six domains and 22 subdomains of knowledge content areas. A higher percentage of initial certification candidates sitting for the 2023 and 2024 ABPMR PRM Certification Examinations selected “Strongly Agree” or “Agree” when responding to the examination content reflecting both scope of training and relevancy. Conclusion: A practice analysis process was undertaken resulting in a new content outline for the ABPMR PRM Certification Examination. Following the implementation of the new content outline, initial certification candidate survey responses showed improved favorability regarding content reflecting scope of training and relevancy.

ImportanceThis is the first population-based study quantifying the incidence of nonsynostotic positional plagiocephaly and/or brachycephaly (PPB) in infancy and its association with developmental disorders.ObjectiveTo report the incidence of PPB before age 1 year, the incidence of craniosynostosis, and the percentage of children with PPB diagnosed with a developmental disorder by age 7 years.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis was a retrospective, population-based cohort study of children in the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) born in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2012, with follow-up through age 7 years. Data were analyzed from March 2021 to April 2024.ExposurePhysical examination detecting cranial deformity.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was the incidence of PPB. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of craniosynostosis and the percentage of children with PPB diagnosed with a developmental disorder by age 7 years.ResultsOf 9909 infants (5084 [51.3%] male; 9205 [92.9%] born at term and 704 [7.1%] born preterm) included in the study, 575 had PPB, for a PPB incidence of 5.8% (95% CI, 5.3%-6.3%). The incidence of PPB was 5.3% (95% CI, 4.8%-5.8%) in term infants vs 11.8% (95% CI, 9.4%-14.6%) in preterm infants. The incidence of craniosynostosis was 0.16% (95% CI, 0.09%-0.26%). A developmental disorder was known or suspected in 4.2% (95% CI, 2.7%-6.2%) of infants at the time of PPB diagnosis; among 402 infants with PPB and follow-up through age 7 years, 30 (7.5%; 95% CI, 5.0%-10.7%) had a confirmed developmental disorder by 7 years of age. The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children with a history of PPB who were followed up to age 7 years was 2.2% (9 of 402 children).Conclusions and RelevanceThis study found that only a small percentage of the infants had positional head deformity significant enough to be documented and/or referred for subspecialty evaluation, and only a small subset of these children went on to have a developmental disorder in childhood. This information is helpful for counseling families about their child’s developmental risk at time of PPB diagnosis.

Depression, suicidal ideation, burnout, and moral injury are on the rise among physicians. Depression and suicidal ideation are mental health disorders that result from multiple interacting factors including biological vulnerabilities and acute stressors. Medical treatment for depression and suicidal ideation is critical to interrupt the potentially deadly progression to suicide that occurs when one’s ability to find hope and other solutions is clouded by despair. Yet, stigma and perceived stigma of seeking treatment for mental health disorders still plagues medical providers. Transitions during medical training and practice can be particularly vulnerable time periods, though newer evidence suggests that overall, physicians are not at an increased risk of suicide compared to the general population. While burnout and moral injury are common among rehabilitation physicians, unlike depression, they are not directly associated with suicidal ideation. Opportunities for continued improvement in mental health resources and institutional support exist across the spectrum from medical student to staff physician. With wellness now increasingly supported and promoted by various medical organizations and recognition of the importance of access to effective mental health treatment, regaining hope and positivity while restoring resiliency in physicians, trainees, and medical students is possible.

Abstract Background In the United States, rare disease (RD) is defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals. Collectively, RD affects an estimated 30 million Americans. A significant portion of RD has an underlying genetic cause; however, this may go undiagnosed. To better serve these patients, the Mayo Clinic Program for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (PRaUD) was created under the auspices of the Center for Individualized Medicine (CIM) aiming to integrate genomics into subspecialty practice including targeted genetic testing, research, and education. Methods Patients were identified by subspecialty healthcare providers from 11 clinical divisions/departments. Targeted multi-gene panels or custom exome/genome-based panels were utilized. To support the goals of PRaUD, a new clinical service model, the Genetic Testing and Counseling (GTAC) unit, was established to improve access and increase efficiency for genetic test facilitation. The GTAC unit includes genetic counselors, genetic counseling assistants, genetic nurses, and a medical geneticist. Patients receive abbreviated point-of-care genetic counseling and testing through a partnership with subspecialty providers. Results Implementation of PRaUD began in 2018 and GTAC unit launched in 2020 to support program expansion. Currently, 29 RD clinical indications are included in 11 specialty divisions/departments with over 142 referring providers. To date, 1,152 patients have been evaluated with an overall solve rate of 14.1% and as high as 66.7% depending on the phenotype. Noteworthy, 42.7% of the solved or likely solved patients underwent changes in medical management and outcome based on genetic test results. Conclusion Implementation of PRaUD and GTAC have enabled subspecialty practices advance expertise in RD where genetic counselors have not historically been embedded in practice. Democratizing access to genetic testing and counseling can broaden the reach of patients with RD and increase the diagnostic yield of such indications leading to better medical management as well as expanding research opportunities.

AbstractBackgroundThere is a need to better understand the overall state of sub‐specialization in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R).ObjectiveTo examine the status and trends in subspecialty certification for each of the seven subspecialties approved for American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) diplomates.Design/SettingRetrospective analysis of deidentified information from the ABPMR database.ParticipantsPhysicians certified by ABPMR through 2019.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresFor each subspecialty, we examined: (1) the number of certificates issued to ABPMR diplomates; (2) the recertification rate; (3) the yearly trends for total active, new, and expired certificates; and (4) for ABPMR‐administered subspecialties, recertification rates for those entering the subspecialty through fellowship completion versus a “grandfathered” practice pathway.ResultsOf 11,421 ABPMR diplomates in the United States in 2019, a total of 3560 (31.2%) had 3985 active subspecialty certificates. Pain Medicine (PM) was the most common subspecialty certification (15.5% of all ABPMR diplomates) followed by Sports Medicine (SM, 6.6%), Brain Injury Medicine (BIM, 4.8%), Spinal Cord Injury Medicine (SCIM, 4.2%), Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM, 2.5%), Neuromuscular Medicine (NMM, 0.7%), and Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM, 0.5%). For diplomates with more than one subspecialty certification, PM and SM was the most frequent combination. Both the recertification rate and the end of practice track eligibility influenced certification trends differently for individual subspecialties. The average number of new certificates added annually for every subspecialty was higher before than after the temporary practice track‐based eligibility ended; the difference was statistically significant (p < .05) for SCIM, PM, SM, and NMM. The recertification rate for all subspecialties combined was 73.4%. For the subspecialties (SCIM, PRM) for which these data were available, fellowship candidates had higher recertification rates than those grandfathered through a practice track.ConclusionThis report informs stakeholders about the state and evolution of subspecialty certification in PM&R over time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated many changes in medicine including the transition from providing care in person to providing care via technology enabled telemedicine. The benefits of telemedicine visits with a Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) provider, also known as telerehabilitation medicine visits, are numerous. Telerehabilitation medicine provides an opportunity to deliver timely, patient and family-centric rehabilitation care while maintaining physical distance and reducing potential COVID-19 exposure for our patients, their caregivers and medical providers. Telerehabilitation medicine also allows for access to PRM care in rural areas or areas without medical specialty, virtual in-home equipment evaluation, and reduced travel burden. Because of these and many other benefits, telerehabilitation medicine will likely become part of our ongoing model of care if barriers to telemedicine continue to be lowered or removed. This paper is intended to establish a foundation for pediatric telerehabilitation medicine visit efficiency and effectiveness in our current environment and into the future.

Abstract Background (+)‐Epicatechin (EPI) induces mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant metabolism in muscle fibers and neurons. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of (+)‐EPI in pediatric subjects with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). Methods This was a phase II, open‐label, baseline‐controlled single‐center trial including 10 participants ages 10 to 22 with confirmed FA diagnosis. (+)‐EPI was administered orally at 75 mg/d for 24 weeks, with escalation to 150 mg/d at 12 weeks for subjects not showing improvement of neuromuscular, neurological or cardiac endpoints. Neurological endpoints were change from baseline in Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) and 8‐m timed walk. Cardiac endpoints were changes from baseline in left ventricular (LV) structure and function by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiogram, changes in cardiac electrophysiology, and changes in biomarkers for heart failure and hypertrophy. Results Mean FARS/modified (m)FARS scores showed nonstatistically significant improvement by both group and individual analysis. FARS/mFARS scores improved in 5/9 subjects (56%), 8‐m walk in 3/9 (33%), 9‐peg hole test in 6/10 (60%). LV mass index by cardiac MRI was significantly reduced at 12 weeks ( P = .045), and was improved in 7/10 (70%) subjects at 24 weeks. Mean LV ejection fraction was increased at 24 weeks ( P = .008) compared to baseline. Mean maximal septal thickness by echocardiography was increased at 24 weeks ( P = .031). There were no serious adverse events. Conclusion (+)‐EPI was well tolerated over 24 weeks at up to 150 mg/d. Improvement was observed in cardiac structure and function in subset of subjects with FRDA without statistically significant improvement in primary neurological outcomes. Synopsis A (+)‐epicatechin showed improvement of cardiac function, nonsignificant reduction of FARS/mFARS scores, and sustained significant upregulation of muscle‐regeneration biomarker follistatin.

BackgroundCertification by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) requires passing both a written multiple choice examination (Part I) and an oral examination (Part II), but it has been unclear whether the two examinations measure the same or different dimensions of knowledge.ObjectiveTo evaluate the concordance between the Part I and Part II examinations for ABPMR initial certification with regard to candidate performance on the examinations and their subsets. Our question is whether the Part II examination provides additional assessment of a candidate beyond what Part I provides.DesignRetrospective psychometric evaluation of deidentified board examination scores.SettingABPMR database of Part I and Part II examination scores.ParticipantsCandidates for the ABPMR Part I and Part II examinations after 2005, with a more detailed analysis of candidates for the Part I examination from 2014 to 2016. Examination scores of candidates who took the Part II examination both before and after the examination was standardized in 2005 were also used for an additional analysis.MethodsCorrelations, simple linear regressions, and principal components analysis.Main Outcome MeasurementsCorrelation coefficients, variance analysis, and unexplained variance in the principal components analysis.ResultsThere is a weak to moderate correlation between performance on the Part I and Part II examinations: r = 0.33, P < .001. There is an additional dimension of assessment that is demonstrated on the Part II examination, with this being primarily in the domains of systems‐based practice and interpersonal communication skills.ConclusionThe Part I and Part II examinations, although with some overlap, contribute different and meaningful components to the overall evaluation of candidates for board certification in PM&R.Level of EvidenceIII.

BackgroundPosterior lumbar vertebral endplate fracture occurs with avulsion of the ring apophysis from the posterior vertebral body. Although this has been described in adolescents and young adults, proper diagnosis is often delayed or missed entirely. Surgery may be curative.ObjectiveTo determine the common clinical features and treatment outcomes in youth and young adults with posterior lumbar vertebral endplate fractures.DesignRetrospective case series.SettingAcademic medical institution.PatientsPatients 10 to 25 years old from 2000 through 2012 with posterior vertebral endplate fracture diagnosis.Main Outcome MeasurementsDemographic characteristics, diagnostic studies, interventions, and change in symptoms postoperatively.ResultsA total of 16 patients had posterior vertebral endplate fractures (8 male patients; mean age, 15.2 years)—8.3% of 192 patients with inclusion age range undergoing spinal surgery for causes unrelated to trauma, scoliosis, or malignancy. The most common signs and symptoms were low back and radiating leg pain, positive straight leg raise, hamstring contracture, and abnormal gait. Cause was sports related for 12 patients (75%). Mean (range) time to diagnosis was 13.0 (3.0‐63.0) months. Diagnosis was most commonly made with lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (n = 6). Most fractures occurred at L5 (n = 8, 50%) and L4 (n = 5, 31.3%). Conservative measures were trialed before surgery. Nine patients had “complete relief” following surgery and seven “improved.”ConclusionsPosterior vertebral endplate fracture should be considered in differential diagnosis of a youth or young adult with back pain, radiating leg pain, and limited knee extension, regardless of symptom onset. For patients in whom conservative management fails, consultation with an experienced physician whose practice specializes in spine medicine is recommended.Level of EvidenceIV