In the hands of the young

The theme of the 1992 Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is “Confronting Our Future.” Today, in keeping with that theme. I am going to address my remarks to our young physiatrists-the bright. energetic cadre of physicians who will soon be carrying the banner of our specialty. It is important for you, our young colleagues, to understand that where we have been means less than where we are going. What we have developed in the past is merely the foundation on which you will continue to construct the edifice of physiatry. It seems we have accomplished so much, yelt we are only on the verge of maturity as a specialty. Thle future is in the hands of the young. It has always been so. You will face many challenges. There will be difficult battles to be fought and won as we stand up for our profession and our patients. I have elected to highlight today four issues that will become increasingly important in the near future. First is the image of our specialty. Most of the general publi’c do not know who we are and even colleagues in other specialties are not quite sure what we do. It is critical for us to become well known and highly regarded among the medical specialties and the public at large. The second issue is reform of America’s health care system. Change in the system is inevitable, and we must play a role in its evolution to help assure the best possible medical care for the disabled community. Third is subspecialization. This growing trend threatens to splinter our ranks, so we must do whatever is necessary to maintain the solidarity ofour Academy. The fourth issue is research. We do not have a solid research base for our specialty, and deans of medical schools question whether we can create one that will command respect within the ivory towers of medicine. We can build that research base, and we will. Among all the challenges that face us, I see these four as the most Icrucial of the foreseeable future. We are ready for these challenges. We are attracting the finest young people of any medical specialty. We have the best spirit, the most compassilon, and the finest brains in medicine today. Our dedicated young physiatrists will surely conquer those challenges that lie ahead. Let us discuss the four issues I have raised. The first issue, becoming more widely recognized and better understood, is perhaps the most critical challenge we face. In fact, becoming more widely recognized and better understood is our most critical challenge. When that battle is won, the support will be there to aid us in our other confrontations. Why