Musculoskeletal medicine in the USA: education and training of family physicians

Garry, Joseph P MD

Assistant Professor, Departments of Family Medicine and Exercise and Sports Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, USA

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE

Dr Joseph P Garry, Director of Sports Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, 4N70, 600 Moye Boulevard, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. Tel: +1 252 816 1953; fax: +1 252 816 4614; email:[email protected].

Accepted March 2003

Quality in Primary Care 11(2):p 159-162, 2003.

Musculoskeletal complaints account for approximately 10–20% of all visits to family physicians. Evidence suggests that there is little instruction provided in medical school, and inadequate instruction in family medicine residencies for future practice. This article reviews historical and current evidence regarding musculoskeletal medicine in medical education. The lack of studies evaluating the quality of musculoskeletal medical care delivered by family physicians needs to be addressed.