Jeeva... Nice job... I look forward to meeting you next year!!!
It seems that there really IS a lot of ignorance or mis-information out there about PHYSIATRY. The AAPM&R is well aware of this and has been doing a lot of promotionals (via print media, television) in the last few years. It is suprising that some PM&R docs out there are not satisfied with their career choice? PM&R has one of the highest job satisfaction rates of all the medical specialties!!!
Clarification of a few things: PM&R is not a PRIMARY CARE SPECIALTY!!! Just like Rads, Ophtho, Derm, we do not deal with "complicated" medical issues. (I personally do not want to). We are trained to recognize any medical issues and treat accordingly on the rehab/sci/tbi units and only consult other services when the need arises. Remember, like rads, ophtho, derm, we too have a year of medicine, surgery or a transitional year under our belts and feel very confident handling medical issues that arise. We have the extra training to recognize and correct issues that would hinder rehabilitation therapies!!! Spasticity, Pain, Urogenic bowel and bladder, TBI issues, Polytrauma and the many patients with ALL these problems... Physiatrists are the EXPERTS in getting these people FUNCTIONAL once again, not an FP doc, not the internist, not the surgeon, not the urologist and not the PT (PhD, MPT, BSPT)!!! Like an FP doc, we are holistic, something we are proud of, but have a focused and "SPECIALIZED" role in the care of the patient.
A few years back there was a push for PM&R to take on the "PRIMARY CARE" role of patients with disabilities (SCI)... There was some contraversy about this and I believe the consensus now is that we are not taking on this role (unless you are working in the VA system). We are now educating FP docs and IM docs on the SCI issues for these patients. We would act as a consult service for the primary care team and address their questions about these chronic SCI patients admitted for acute medical problems. Of course, the new injuries would be treated primarily by the Physiatrist.
Like most (but not all) specialties, competitiveness is cyclical. As one of my attendings said, about a decade ago PM&R was EXTREMELY competitive to match into and there were amazing applicants. Then there was a low for a few years... Presently PM&R is a HOT field again and as per my program directors the applicants this year and last have been exceptional to the point that they will not interview as many applicants and be even more SELECTIVE this year. Im interested in the outcome of the upcoming match!!!
Dr. Niki... I do respect your opinion, but do not agree with your interpretation of what us physiatrists do. I wonder if their is a study out there about the rehabilitation OUTCOME of a TBI or SCI patient who was managed by an FP or IM doc alone??? Probably wouldnt be ethical from the patient's standpoint??? (Im not bashing FP/IM.... I think you guys do a great job- just wanted to make a point!). I did a year of medicine and never learned about the problems I encounter with these patients now!!!!
Oh... I almost forgot... DO's and IMGS...
"The wealth of knowledge and experience that IMGs and DOs bring to a program.... PRICELESS!!!"
Thats my two cents on INPATIENT PHYSIATRY.... But wait, we dont only do inpatient... OUTPATIENT stuff is even better!!!!! SPORTS MED, INTERVENTIONAL PAIN and SPINE, OCCUPATIONAL MED, WORKERS COMP, PERFORMING ARTS MED, SPACTICITY and AMPUTATION CLINICS.... Yup, we do it all!!!! Am I satisfied??? DEFINITELY....