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Curriculum

Clinical Curriculum

First Year (PGY-1)

The first year in our Program as a PM&R resident involves completion of preliminary training in internal medicine (including ICU, hematology/oncology and geriatrics), cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, inpatient pediatrics and radiology. The primary objective is for first-year residents to develop fundamental clinical skills. By the end of the first year, residents should demonstrate competence in history-taking, physical examination and establishing a treatment plan. Knowledge of general internal medicine and its subspecialties is essential for subsequent management of clinical problems frequently encountered with PM&R patients.

Second Year (PGY-2)

The majority of the resident’s second year is spent on the inpatient rehabilitation units. Introductory PM&R lectures help new residents rapidly become comfortable with their specialty and the field in general. Attending physicians work closely with residents, granting more responsibility as indicated by the resident’s level of ability. Residents participate in the supervision of medical students. During the second year of training, the primary goals are acquiring the core PM&R knowledge base and basic PM&R skills, including:

  • Familiarity with the presentation, natural history and recovery for major rehabilitation diagnoses (traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, amputation, joint replacement and other orthopaedic conditions, to name a few), and reasonable proficiency in managing inpatient care
  • Understanding neurogenic bowel and bladder considerations
  • Prevention and management of complications related to bed rest and immobility
  • Performing a functionally oriented history and examination, including neurologic and musculoskeletal aspects
  • Familiarity with major functional scales
  • Knowledge of the training and roles of other rehabilitation professionals, team dynamics and the role of the rehabilitation physician
  • Documenting effective and succinct admission, daily notes and discharge summaries appropriate to rehabilitation of patients
  • Understanding the unique problems of geriatric and pediatric patients
  • Mastering the appropriate communication skills necessary to interface with the patient, family and the team
  • Developing a medical and rehabilitation plan of care upon admission, and plans for continuity of care post-discharge

Third Year (PGY-3)

The third year of training is a mix of inpatient- and outpatient-related activities (including electrodiagnosis), and consultations. Educational objectives include:

  • Demonstrated independence in the care of inpatients
  • An ability to evaluate patients on other services for advice on management, or appropriateness of transferring them to rehabilitation
  • Knowledge regarding the evaluation and management of common rehabilitation outpatients (usually musculoskeletal or follow-up care for inpatients)
  • Performance of basic electrodiagnostic studies with moderate supervision
  • Team leadership skills
  • Providing assistance to medical students and junior residents
  • Knowledge of orthotics and prosthetics

Fourth Year (PGY-4)

The fourth year of training is primarily outpatient-focused, with an emphasis on gaining competence in the management of patients commonly seen in PM&R outpatient settings as well as competence in electrodiagnosis. Residents enjoy elective time to gain enhanced experience in selected areas, or exposure to subspecialty areas. The educational objectives are:

  • Management of outpatients with acute and chronic pain and injury
  • Ongoing outpatient care of patients with neurological impairment and disability
  • Rehabilitation management of patients who have connective tissue disorders
  • Proficiency with soft tissue injections
  • Performance of aspiration and injection techniques for common joints
  • Understanding the fundamentals of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Competence in the performance of basic electrodiagnostic techniques
  • Leadership and administrative skills

Didactic Curriculum

The importance of didactic curriculum as an integral, essential complement to clinical curriculum is not overlooked. In fact, our PM&R Residency Program incorporates dedicated teaching days and Journal Clubs into the program, including an emphasis on required research. Didactic courses cover the topics listed in the Part I Certification Outline from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.