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THE MEDICAL STUDENT'S GUIDE TO PM&R
What does a physiatrist do?
Physiatrists maximize what a patient can do and assist the patient in adapting to what he or she cannot. A physiatrist should be consulted when pain, weakness, or disability is preventing a patient from achieving their desired level of independence.
Physiatrists work in a variety of environments including inpatient, outpatient, and consulting roles. They can practice solo, in groups, hospitals, and academic settings.
In addition to management used in general medical practice, physiatrists prescribe therapeutic exercise, prosthetics / orthotics, and adaptive devices to treat patients of all ages.
Physiatrists facilitate physiologic adaptation to disability to prevent complications or deterioration secondary to disabling conditions.
The goal of the physiatrist is to provide medical care to patients with pain, weakness, numbness, and loss of function so that they can maximize their physical, psychological, social, and vocational potential.
As people survive conditions that once would have been fatal, the field of physiatry is moving to the forefront of medicine. The specialty serves all age groups and treats problems that touch upon all major systems of the body.
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