>I am a MS-3 interested in PM&R. I would like to know how to get into PM&R research. Unfortunately, my school does not have a PM&R department so I don't have too many resources in that respect. Thanks for your help!
I went to a medical school with essentially no PM&R component too.
I would say probably the easiest approach is to find a mentor outside of PM&R that has an interest in something similar. Figure out which core area of PM&R interests you the most (SCI, TBI, MSK, Stroke, Peds, EMG/NCS), and then find a clinical mentor that is interested in that topic. Many will have either ongoing projects or something they always wish they could do, but were looking for someone to help them out.
For example, let's say you have an interest in nerve conduction studies. Find someone on staff who does them (if they don't have a strong PM&R presence, then it will usually be a neurologist) and talk to them. You might be able to help them with a retrospective chart review, or help them define normative data for an unusual nerve study.
Another great resource could be the Physical Therapy department. As more departments move toward a doctorate level, they are requiring the faculty to obtain PhDs. Many of the faculty, therefore, could use help on their research and would probably be anxious for the help of a medical student to get involved with their research.
