Musculoskeletal Medicine Educational Reform in the Bone and Joint Decade*

Abstract

The burden of musculoskeletal disease is vast. Although these diseases may lack the cachet of more immediately life-threatening conditions (such as cancer or stroke), musculoskeletal problems are worthy of increased attention, as the amelioration of bone and joint disease can certainly enhance life, if not extend it. Buoyed by the accomplishments of the Decade of the Brain (1990-2000), the international community of musculoskeletal physicians and scientists came together in Sweden in 1998 to found the Bone and Joint Decade1,2. The specific purpose of this group was to confront the growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders through raising public awareness of the problem and improving prevention, treatment, and research. The United Nations, the World Health Organization, and others announced public support. In the United States, President Bush, joined by the governors of all fifty states, declared the years 2002 through 2011 to be the National Bone and Joint Decade in the United States. The international organization for the Bone and Joint Decade as well as its American counterpart have worked on many fronts, among them achieving recognition for the burden of musculoskeletal disease within the World Health Organization, successfully advocating for public health policy innovations, raising public awareness, and nurturing young clinical investigators in musculoskeletal basic and clinical sciences. One area of particular focus within the United States Bone and Joint Decade is the improvement of medical school education in musculoskeletal medicine. As co-chairs of the medical school education committee (J.B. and G.V.L.) and executive director (T.K.) of the Decade, we welcome the chance now, at the Decade's five-year mark, to share a description of the problems and challenges we face, a detailing of the progress we have made, and a delineation of the future work to be done. The Decade proposes that the medical school experience in …