Patient Contact

[theradish]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi I was wondering if some of the individuals on this forum could comment on the amount of actual patient contact practicing PM&R physicians have with their patients. I heard that PM&R docs do alot of paperwork while the PT's are the ones spending time with the patients....

I'm just looking for a few honest opinions.

 

[lobelsteve]

Hi I was wondering if some of the individuals on this forum could comment on the amount of actual patient contact practicing PM&R physicians have with their patients. I heard that PM&R docs do alot of paperwork while the PT's are the ones spending time with the patients....

I'm just looking for a few honest opinions.

Outpatient: yes
Inpatient: yes

As a resident rounding on 15-20 patients- 15 min with every patient every day, then more time at family conference, more time for folks who needed it. Relationships develop for the SCI, P&O, and CVA patients. Especially with continuity clinic once they go home and need to follow up.

Outpatient wise the relationships are stronger- especially for pain docs. Good pain docs make emotional connections with chronic pain patients to get a fuller understanding of the psychosocial issues and overlay to create a better treatment plan- it ain't a series of 3, SCS, see the surgeon game plan if you want to really help people.

 

[Ludicolo]

Hi I was wondering if some of the individuals on this forum could comment on the amount of actual patient contact practicing PM&R physicians have with their patients. I heard that PM&R docs do alot of paperwork while the PT's are the ones spending time with the patients....

I'm just looking for a few honest opinions.

PM&R docs tend to spend more time with patients than other specialties. As lobelsteve said, whether a patient has chronic pain or a disability, we establish relationships with them to better understand how they tick. Do patients spend more actual face-to-face time with PT/OT than physiatry? Initially following their injury, yes. Physiatry is more up in the coach’s box, orchestrating the rehab plan. But once the patients have attained functional stability, the physicians will continue to follow them on a more chronic basis.

Yes, PM&R is filled with paperwork, perhaps more than other specialties. But the PT/OT’s have their fair share. Nurses have their paperwork to do as well. Even the patients have to fill out forms. Nobody likes paperwork, and no one is immune. This is a function of the fractured health care system, not the field or specialty.

 

[PMR 4 MSK]

Its all pt contact, with documentation after each pt. Just like any other specialty.

 

[ampaphb]

Hi I was wondering if some of the individuals on this forum could comment on the amount of actual patient contact practicing PM&R physicians have with their patients. I heard that PM&R docs do alot of paperwork while the PT's are the ones spending time with the patients....

I'm just looking for a few honest opinions.

Rather than taking our word for it, why don't you shadow a PM&R doc for a day and see for yourself?