PM&R career with hand weakness?

[Macattack123]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi guys,

I'm a junior on the premed track. I did the premed track because I want to be a doctor (derr), but also because I know for sure that I want to work in the sciences. PM&R appealed to me in particular because of the healing aspect to the field.

Here's the catch: I injured my hand/thumb last year, and my doctor warned me that in a few years I would have less and less strength in that hand. It's my dominant hand. This is obviously a problem for medicine, which seems to be very hands-on, so to speak.

I shadowed a PM&R doc before my injury, and she didn't seem to have to do anything that would require strong/steady hands, but the shadowing opportunity only lasted a few days.

So, basically, my question is this: would substantial weakness in my dominant hand preclude me from being an excellent physiatrist? Should I be looking into a different line of work because of this?

thanks.

 

[NightFury]

I don't believe you should give it up if it is what you want to do. If she can do it, you can definitely do it! http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...ossible-dream-to-be-doctor-comes-true-688258/

 

[SSdoc33]

Hi guys,

I'm a junior on the premed track. I did the premed track because I want to be a doctor (derr), but also because I know for sure that I want to work in the sciences. PM&R appealed to me in particular because of the healing aspect to the field.

Here's the catch: I injured my hand/thumb last year, and my doctor warned me that in a few years I would have less and less strength in that hand. It's my dominant hand. This is obviously a problem for medicine, which seems to be very hands-on, so to speak.

I shadowed a PM&R doc before my injury, and she didn't seem to have to do anything that would require strong/steady hands, but the shadowing opportunity only lasted a few days.

So, basically, my question is this: would substantial weakness in my dominant hand preclude me from being an excellent physiatrist? Should I be looking into a different line of work because of this?

thanks.

no, you can do PM&R. there are plenty of niches within physiatry that would fit.

however, the diagnosis of "progressive hand weakness over a few years" sounds pretty fishy to me. you sure you have your cards straight?