This elective is designed to expose the student to various aspects of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The elective can be individualized according to the student's interests.
Students participate in patient care in both the inpatient and outpatient setting with the attending physician and/or the resident on the rotation. Exposure to the rehabilitative care of patients with stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, amputation, neuromuscular diseases, and musculoskeletal problems is available. Exposure to electrodiagnostics, pediatric rehabilitation and other educational opportunities may also be available if the students desire. Students also attend weekly didactic sessions with the residents.
Goals and Objectives
- Perform a complete rehabilitation history and physical exam
- Understand the interdisciplinary treatment approach to patients disabled by acute spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, amputation and other neurologic disabilities
- Understand the etiology and treatment of common medical problems in rehabilitative medicine (pressure sores, DVT, autonomic hyperreflexia, spasticity, neurogenic bowel and bladder)
- Exposure to therapy prescription writing
- Understand the workup and treatment options for patients with spine and musculoskeletal disorders
Suggested Reading
Please use the Braddom text as a reference for in-depth reading into specific PM&R topics and use PM&R Secrets for a general overview of PM&R.
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Braddom, Randall (2010). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 4th Ed. Saunders.
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O'Young, Bryan. PM&R Secrets. Hanley & Belfus.