Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Rochester

Teaching Conferences

Rehabilitation Grand Rounds

Rehabilitation Grand Rounds are held weekly. The format varies between that of a formal lecture and case/patient presentations. The speakers include faculty from other U of R departments, as well as PMR faculty, and outside invited speakers. All PMR residents are required to give a Grand Rounds presentation annually on a topic of their choice, with assistance and mentoring provided by a selected faculty member.

Journal Club

Journal club is held monthly. With the assistance of a faculty member, residents choose the articles to be reviewed. The purpose of journal club is to develop critical literature review skills necessary for ongoing self-directed learning after graduation from the program. Articles are critiqued for their research design, as well as for their contribution to knowledge in the field. Journal club is frequently held in the evening at the home of one of the faculty, with refreshments and ample time for social interaction between residents and faculty.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Lecture Series

(Weekly; 1 to 1 1/2 hrs) All courses (excluding the "Introduction to..." series) are followed by a written examination, and in some instances, an oral or practical examination. Attendance at lectures is mandatory, and a passing grade must be attained on the examinations in all courses for graduation from the residency.

Introduction to Rehabilitation Medicine

This series of one-hour lectures is given by the faculty and senior residents every July and August for residents new to PMR (usually PGY2 after their preliminary or medicine year). The topics include overviews of several areas, including: the neurorehabilitation examination; evaluation of impairment and disability; stroke; traumatic brain injury; spinal cord injury; pediatric rehabilitation; musculoskeletal disorders; amputation and prosthetics; gait evaluation; the roles of speech, occupational, and speech therapy. The purpose of these lectures is to provide a basic foundation and references for residents to facilitate their clinical rotations. Most of these topics are covered in more detail in later lectures.

Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology

This course covers neuromusculoskeletal anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology by body region (eg. neck, shoulder, hand, knee). Kinesiology of gait, pulmonary and cardiovascular physiology, principles of exercise physiology are covered, as well as the complications of immobility and bedrest.

Electrodiagnosis

Basic neuromuscular physiology, principles of electrophysiology, electronics, techniques for nerve conduction studies and electromyography, and clinical aspects of neuromuscular disease are all covered. This course consists of both didactic and "hands on" practical experience. Successful completion of this course is required to advance to supervised performance of electrodiagnosis in patients. Aspects of this course are given annually to facilitate successful completion by the middle of the R3 year.

Modalities and Prescription Writing

This course covers the technical and physiologic aspects of the various therapeutic modalities (eg ultrasound) as well as prescription-writing for non-pharmacologic treatments and equipment used in PMR.

Clinical Neurology and Neuroanatomy

Covers the aspects of neuroanatomy and clinical neurology that are essential for physicians responsible for patients with neurologic impairments and disability. Areas of emphasis include stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, lesion localization (brain and spinal cord), bladder neurophysiology and neurogenic bladder, and management of seizures and status epilepticus. The peripheral nervous system is covered under electrodiagnosis.

Neuropsychology

Covers brain-behavior relationships, use of neuropsychological testing, diagnosis and management of cognitive and behavioral disorders commonly seen in PMR settings.

Pediatrics

Covers basic developmental aspects as well as the management of the more common pediatric conditions requiring PMR intervention (eg. spina bifida, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis).

Joint and Connective Tissue Disorders

Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of common disorders. Introduction to joint aspiration and injection.

Industrial Medicine and Ergonomics

Principles of diagnosis and management of the injured worker, including workplace evaluation and applied ergonomics.

Research and Critical Appraisal of the Literature

Basic research design and statistical analysis with examples relevant to PMR. Techniques for critical reading and evaluation of the literature.

Administration and Continuous Quality Improvement

Introduction to basic administrative aspects such as core policies and procedures, accreditation and standards, personal issues, and principles of quality improvement.

Ethics

Through case studies, ethical issues and approaches are discussed.

Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Amputees

These lectures are given in conjunction with attendance at Prosthetic Clinic throughout the year.

Board Review Sessions

These one hour sessions occur periodically throughout the year and at each session a specific topic area related to the boards is discussed. Each participating resident is assigned 20 questions from previous exams on the topic to be answered and researched. Thus, self-directed learning is also facilitated.