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Final Program


Final Congress Guide

Health Policy and Systems

700 Section - State of PMR: Dominican Republic

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT
Objectives : Physiatry in the Dominican Republic (DR) originated following the 1959 poliomyelitis epidemic, which revealed the absence of rehabilitation services and led to the establishment of the country’s first Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled in 1963. Although the specialty has grown over the past six decades, gaps in education, workforce distribution, and infrastructure remain. This study describes the current state of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) in the DR, focusing on training pathways, clinical practice, access to care, and opportunities for future development.

Design:

A qualitative narrative study was conducted using interviews with three national leaders in physiatry: the presidents of the Dominican Society of Physiatrists (SODOMFI) and the Dominican Association of Physiatry (ADR), and the Medical Director of Rehabilitek. Data were supplemented with a review of available literature and professional society records. A descriptive thematic analysis was performed.

Results:

The DR has three PM&R residency programs, two in Santo Domingo and one in Santiago, training approximately seven residents annually. No fellowship programs are currently available. An estimated 85 physiatrists practice nationwide, primarily in the capital and northeastern regions. The ADR operates 35 outpatient rehabilitation centers, yet several southern and northwestern provinces lack services. Clinical practice is predominantly outpatient and musculoskeletal-focused, reflecting the absence of acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities and contributing to restricted early intervention. In the public sector, referrals are required for physiatry and physical therapy, while private sector access is faster but limited by insurance policies favoring acute musculoskeletal conditions over chronic neurologic care. Key challenges include workforce shortages, limited PM&R exposure in medical education, low public awareness, and insufficient infrastructure.

Conclusion:

PM&R in the DR has progressed but remains constrained by workforce, training, and infrastructure limitations. Expanding educational pathways, investing in acute rehabilitation services, and improving nationwide access are essential to achieving equitable physiatry care.