During the 2022 AAPM&R Annual Assembly, the Academy learned that the National Basketball Association (NBA) made updates to their Team Health and Performance Personnel policy. This new policy places unique and unwarranted restrictions on physiatrists’ capacities to serve as sports medicine team physicians in the NBA.

Following this announcement, the Academy worked quickly to contact the NBA regarding their updated policy and we have requested a meeting with them. As the national medical specialty organization representing physical medicine and rehabilitation, we are concerned that there may be a misunderstanding and/or misinterpretation of physical medicine and rehabilitation’s residency core training and competencies. In our communications to the NBA, we asked to further understand the genesis of this policy change and to have an opportunity to provide the NBA with clarity regarding the PM&R residency training curriculum and experiences.

We are taking this impact on our members very seriously and are considering a broad range of actions to advocate for our specialty. We will be hosting a members-only town hall on Tuesday, November 29 at 7 pm (CT). Register and join us as we want to hear about what you are currently experiencing and your thoughts/concerns.