Physical and rehabilitation medicine for outpatients. The European PRM (UEMS PRM Section) Position Statement

The need for medical rehabilitation is growing rapidly, including functional assessment and rehabilitation management of outpatients. The wide diversity of the out of the hospital PRM programs leads to define the basic principles and the role of the PRM specialist in the field. The aim of this article is to outline the core professional principles of the PRM for outpatient care, according to the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Section of the European Union of Medical Specialists. A Working Group (WG) on “Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine for Outpatients” was formed in March 2023. The final version was unanimously approved at the General Assembly on September 13th, 2024. The principal aspects of PRM management of outpatients, according to the UEMS PRM Section, are reported. It is essential that PRM programs for outpatients are planned, developed, and implemented according to the professional principles of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in appropriate settings. They must be conducted by a multiprofessional team led by a PRM physician. These efforts aim to maximize functional outcomes and enhance the quality of life for individuals at risk of disability and chronic conditions.