White Book on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) in Europe. Chapter 11. Challenges and perspectives for the future of PRM

In the context of the White Book of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) in Europe, this paper deals with the future perspectives of PRM in Europe according to the actual vision of the European Bodies. All Chapters stress the big changes that Europe is facing in terms of demography, life expectancy, survival rates, disability burden, increasing prevalence of long-term health conditions, progress in technology, but also health costs and society changes in terms of requirements of wellness and quality of life together with health. All these challenges combined with the specificities of PRM, that is the medical specialty focusing on the whole person and its functioning in the various health conditions, with the aim to guarantee the best possible participation through improvement of activities and reduction of impairments. The possible consequences of these changes in the future evolution of PRM clinical practice, services, education, research are presented; moreover, the vision on the progress to harmonization of the development of PRM across Europe, and the possible contribution of PRM to policy planning are presented.