Program Overview

Quick Residency Links Program Overview Residency Program Information Teaching Conferences Clinical Teaching Rounds Residency Rotations and Yearly Objectives Evaluation and Promotion On Call Responsibilities Facilities Research & Publications Publications of PM&R Residents 1988-1996 Faculty Computer and Library Facilities Rochester & the Finger Lakes Region

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry, PMR), is a medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and treating patients with limited function as a consequence of diseases and injuries leading to impairments and/or disabilities. A variety of problems and disorders are encountered including congenital, neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, oncologic. Emphasis is placed on the maximal restoration of the physical, neuropsychological, social, and vocational functions of the person; on the establishment and maintenance of health; and on the prevention of secondary complications and the alleviation of pain.

Proud to be a partner with the Association of Academic Physiatrists

Physiatrists have special training in functional assessment and rehabilitation management; the use of therapeutic exercise and physical modalities (eg. strength training; the use of ultrasound, electrical stimulation); the prescription and use of orthotics, prosthetics and other durable equipment; gait analysis; diagnostic and therapeutic injections; electrodiagnostics (nerve conduction studies and electromyography); and in the coordination of patient care and management of an interdisciplinary team.

The goal of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency at the University of Rochester is to train and develop physicians into Physiatrists who are competent to practice independently in a variety of settings. To accomplish this goal, we offer a broadly-based and carefully planned educational program that in addition to the traditional objectives of acquiring new knowledge and technical skills, promotes the development of critical reasoning skills, research interests, administrative knowledge, ethical decision-making, and patient-physician communication. The educational program is tailored to meet the needs of each individual resident. Graduates of this program will meet the requirements for board eligibility to the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The PMR faculty has developed curricular objectives for each clinical year and didactic course which guides residents through their studies. These curricular objectives also serve to ensure that our graduates have been exposed to and learned the core aspects of the field of PMR. The faculty, residents and residency director meet regularly to review and discuss both the collective and individual educational programs.

Philosophically, we believe that learning occurs most effectively when the resident is actively involved in the educational process, and when there is frequent 1:1 discourse between the supervising faculty and the residents. In addition to our formal lecture series, many excellent educational opportunities occur on clinical rounds and during the dialogue that ensues between the resident and attending. As the resident progresses, self-directed educational opportunities are increased to promote a career-long attitude of continued learning.