DPT vs. PM&R

[med88]

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I had not heard of the PM&R med specialty before reading this forum. I am very interested in Physical Therapy but have been trying to decide between MD/BSN/DPT for a while now.

I don't quite understand what a doctor of PM&R does. Will someone please explain that to me?
Here are some of the questions I have:
1. What is the role of the PM&R doctor?
2. How do the PT and the PM&R physician interact in the care plan and in the process of providing care?
3. How competitive is the PM&R specialty?
4. Is the PM&R specialty a "lifestyle" specialty?
5. Is PM&R a new specialty?
6. Do the PM&R doctors get much patient contact?
7. Is there a lot of blood involved in the PM&R specialty?
8. Any other information you would like to add would be wonderful!

THANK YOU!

 

[ADUB]

refer to this website: http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/what.htm

Physiatrist = Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician

Probably the best place to look into a PM&R profession is in rehab facilities like HealthSouth, etc. Just as hospitals have hospitalists who take care of patients while in the hospital (instead of their primary care provider making recuent visits), PM&R doctors will oversee the rehab of patients in many rehab facilities. They will also have private practices, work for sports teams, etc., just as other speciaties will - but they focus on the rehabilitation aspect.

PT is GREAT - less education (~ 3 years after bachelors) but also less $$$
PM&R is good too - More education (4 years + 4 years residency after bachelors) but more $$$, anywhere from $120,000 - $250,000 / year (or possibly more)

 

[paintballdoc]

I am not a PM&R doctor, but I will try to answer a few questions. It is not a very competitive residency (or at least it wasn't when I went through training) b/c it is misunderstood by most medical students. Most people do not know what it entails. You do not have to deal with blood that much. It seems to be a good specialty for people who "want a life". You can also do some procedures with it if you obtain a pain management fellowship. I hope this helps.