Prospectives and retrospectives--a glimpse of the future of physiatry

Briefly, a glimpse into the near and distant future of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has been presented. Although the past has been auspicious, the future promises even more for the continued growth of Physiatry and the Physiatrist. There will always be a plentiful supply of elderly, chronically-ill, impaired, incapacitated and handicapped patients. Patient care will change constantly to incorporate advances in biomedical and rehabilitation technology as well as restrictions due to cost containment. Human rights will prevail, not only for humanitarian reasons, but because the handicapped citizens will unite and will lobby legislatures to enact laws that will improve the quality of their lives.