Challenges of Clinical Research in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: Considerations from a Working Group from Brazil, USA and Canada

The relative importance of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) in the realm of health services will increase in the coming years. This is due in large part to the fact that the global population is aging and the presence of chronic disease is on the rise, as well as the increased survival from external agents and violence. As a result, a major issue in healthcare is how to ensure independence and high quality of life most effectively and for as many people as possible [1,2]. As PMR addresses both of these issues, a strong focus must be placed on PMR now and in the future.