I'm not sure if there was an earlier thread, but I was curious from those who are applying (I am a 3rd year) or are residents about what electives to take for a well rounded PM&R candidate. I have heard (outside of taking say 2-3 rehab rotations) it would be good to try, in no particular importance, to take stuff like Spine or Neurosurg, Rheum, maybe a cardio rotation, and or pain mgmt.
I would say neurology is a strongly recommended elective that will be of great benefit. Rheum or neurosurgery would also be nice.
If I had two overlapping-specialty rotations to pick, I might go with ortho and neurology. If you do PM&R rotations later, you may get exposure to pain and/or spine anyway.
I would say that you could do things that will benefit your career, but also think of taking things that you won't see again in a formal academic setting - like ob/gyn or cardiology.
you can never get enough neurology, very useful
neurosurg and ortho are also great but the periop stuff is relatively useless - you need to be in there and see them put in the hardware or whatever. that will give you a better appreciation of what you need to do for them in rehab.
Rheum is also very useful
NOw I would highly recommend doing a cards rotation - you gotta learn how to read ekg's at the very least. Other things like ID would help as rehab deals with a lot of wound care issues.
Radiology to get used to looking at films and anatomy.
Derm for seeing rashes
But don't overdo it for 4th year - make it as much of a vacation as you can
