Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41809307›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Persistent Misunderstandings in Rehabilitation Medicine in India: A Call for Redefinition.

Anurug Biswas

Abstract readEditorial
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Anurug BiswasPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Santiniketan Medical College and Hospital, Bolpur, IND.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) is often misunderstood in India and is seen only as physiotherapy or a supportive service rather than a full clinical specialty. This misconception may lead to late referrals, preventable complications, and poor functional outcomes for people living with disability. PMR is not just about exercises; it is physician-led and focused on diagnosis, medical management, and coordination of multidisciplinary care. Early rehabilitation is beneficial for recovery, but PMR remains marginalized in acute care and medical education. The non-mandatory status of PMR as a subject for medical graduates in India has led to limited awareness of this discipline among future doctors. With disability affecting a large number of people in India, redefining PMR as a core specialty is urgent. Recognizing its role in improving function, participation, and quality of life is essential to move beyond survival as the only measure of success and to ensure better care for millions who need it, a priority underscored in this editorial.

Indexed as

disability managementearly rehabilitationmultidisciplinary care approachphysical medicine and rehabilitation (pm&r)quality of life (qol)

Identifiers

PMID41809307
PMCPMC12968583

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.