Know More About Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation

Know more about Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physical medicine and rehabilitation is a medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and treating patients with disabilities. These disabilities may arise from neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Alternatively, the disabilities may result from cardiopulmonary impairments or oncological diseases. A physician certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is often called a physiatrist. Physiatrists often coordinate the services of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team that may include neurologists, psychiatrists and orthopedic surgeons as well as allied healthcare professionals. The physiatrist takes a holistic approach to patient diagnosis by considering the physical and psychological aspects of a patient's condition. The primary goal of the physiatrist is to achieve maximal restoration of physical, psychological, social, and vocational function through comprehensive rehabilitation. Pain management is often an important part of the physiatrist's role. For diagnosis and evaluation, a physiatrist may include the techniques of electromyography to supplement the standard history, physical, X-ray, and laboratory examinations. The physiatrist has expertise in the appropriate use of therapeutic exercise, prosthetics (artificial limbs), orthotics, and mechanical and electrical devices.

Unique attributes of the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• It is a rare specialty with a vast scope of practice. Physicians trained in the specialty can pursue advanced training in multiple subspecialties and can choose to work in inpatient or outpatient settings.
• It is a well-paid specialty and the salaries are comparable with any other specialty. Many of the regions across the world offer a rare specialty allowance as well.
• There is a huge need of physiatrists to cover inpatient rehabilitation facilities due to increasing trends of rehabilitation physicians to work as outpatient.
• Outpatient scope of practice is generally popular due to procedural based practice and flexibility in working hours. The specialty as a career is very compatible with raising a family.
• There are very few emergencies in clinical practice.
• Physiatrists are leaders in a team setting. Patient empathy, communication skills and leadership qualities are the core competencies in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Fellowships offered in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a unique specialty which offers more than 15 sub specializations and fellowships around the world.
• Sub specializations are offered in the following fields of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Twelve words to best describe the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

If you are looking forward to start a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The following links provide an excellent overview for medical students or physicians who are interested in pursuing a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

History of the specialty

To learn about the origin and evolution of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation