Erica Said:

Whats occupational medicine/physical medicine and rehabilitation? 10 points for first helpful answer?

We Answered:

Yes, I've seen a physician who specialized in physical and rehabilitation medicine (physiatrist). They focus on helping a person to return to their normal lifestyle as best as possible after a severe injury or debilitating illness.

I've also seen an occupational therapist (OT), who works more on fine motor skills that would be needed for a job or for self-care, whereas physical therapists (PT) work more on general overall fitness and strength. Most physiatrists will refer a patient to see a PT and/or an OT if necessary.

A physiatrist can write prescriptions; an OT or PT cannot write prescriptions because they are technicians and not medical doctors.

I hope this helps - take care,

-Razzle

Jon Said:

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

We Answered:

Doesn't really matter what you major in, as long as you take the pre-med requirements. In fact, it might be better not to major in a science, since med schools are looking for people more versed in the humanities.

Bernard Said:

is there department of physical medicine & rehabilitation in australia N.B iam physician not physiotherapist ?

We Answered:

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Jimmie Said:

Can a rehabilitation medicine specialist get into sports medicine for fellowship?

We Answered:

I think you are good. You previous education courses should apply to sports medicine. From what I've been told it is a lucrative career. Good luck.

Diane Said:

Can physiatrists (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) treat addictions?

We Answered:

Physiatry deals with physical problems, addiction is a psychiatric condition and psychiatrists are the only type of physician that would typically treat an addiction. There is no doubt that substance abuse disorders are both debilitating and are legitimate medical conditions that a physician can treat.

Technically any doctor can treat any condition and, with a few exceptions, all doctors can prescribe any medication. However a physiatrist is not trained to treat a substance disorder and any good physiatrist would NOT provide medical treatment specifically for addiction. And since addiction is not related to the conditions physiatrists treat it does not make any sense for them to treat addiction.

Addiction, along with mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and anxiety disorders are the primary categories of psychiatric disorders (not including axis II conditions like personality disorders). Psychiatrists are trained in diagnosing substance abuse disorders, in pharmacological treatment of substance disorders, and psychiatrists are able to conduct therapy (however many choose not to do therapy) and are able to form a treatment plan for a person with an addiction.

In Canada, for example, a doctor has to get a waver to prescribe methadone for either opioid dependence and/or pain (each is a separate waver) and extra training must be done to be allowed to prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), a drug also used in people addicted to opioids. It is unlikely a physiatrist would be allowed to get an exemption to prescribe methadone for substance abuse because of the lack of training (however a physiatrist could easily get an exemption to prescribe for pain since most physiatrists treat chronic pain. In The US physiatrists are one of only a small number of specialties able to become certified in pain management, psychiatrist can also become certified in pain management).

If you have a substance abuse problem I highly recommended you see a psychiatrist. It is also very important that people with a substance problem get evaluated, by a psychiatrist, for other psychiatric conditions since most addicts also have a comorbid psychiatrist disorder. If there is another psychiatric disorder it is important BOTH problems get treatment or it is unlikely that a person can maintain sobriety.


UPDATE:

OK I see where you are coming from. The problem is that a physiatrist treats physical illness or injury. Drug withdrawal is completely different. Withdrawal is a result of the brain adapting to having the substance then, if it is rapidly discontinued, the brain can't compensate and a withdrawal syndrome occurs. Withdrawal has to do with the neurobiology/neurochemistry of the brain- psychiatrists are trained in that.

And withdrawal can be easily relieved, if more drug is used the problem is gone (at least for a bit). The physical problems a physiatrist treats can't be fixed, even temporary, that easily. And again all the physical problems with addiction are due to the brain and that is psychiatry not physiatry.

What is it you think a physiatrist could even do for people in withdrawal? I really can't think of much except for things psychiatrists do and are better doing.

Oh also of course people addicted to drugs don't want to be addicted. No one has ever used drugs with the intention to get addicted. Unfortunately some people have different responses to drugs and can end up addicted. And addiction is due to problems in the brain. It is also important to keep in mind that physical dependence is NOT addiction. People taking benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or opioids long term often become physically dependent, it is normal and not really a major problem. A person physically dependent, but not addicted, can slowly tapper off the medication without problems. An addict is psychologically dependent (and in many cases also physically dependent) and is unable to stop drug use even if there is no withdrawal.

M.D., C.M. psychiatry, internal medicine (Québec)
Hons. BSc pharmacology

Violet Said:

what should i exactly major in to be a physician specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation?

We Answered:

i dont know what catalogue youve been looking at, but there is no "surgeon major", or "sports medicine" major in undergrad- there is no way even a medical student can major in those- in fact they dont major in anything at all- (and you should know by now that you cannot go to medical school without getting a degree in undergrad first) - medical students receive their m.d. degree after they complete 4 years of med school, with the same curriculum as everyone else in their school (there is no major in med school, period) and they THEN do an internship, go through rotations, THEN they apply for a residency (super competitive as well) in a general medical field. sports medicine is NOT a general field- its a speciality-, so you will first have to complete a 2-4 year residency in the general field of surgery or whatever you need to focus on to be able to move on into that specifically, and THEN you can apply for a fellowship in sports medicine (even MORE competitive than a residency- only the best med students end up specializing further). this can only be done after approx 12-13 years from where you are now. you really need to talk to a counselor; you sound very confused about what a doctor is required to take before applying to med school (also keep in mind that you must be an academic star with a degree from a preferably highly rated undergrad institution to be considered for med school; 52-58% of students who apply to med school every year get rejected from every single one they applied to, and most of those students were academically ranked very highly) . you can get a bachelors degree in anything you want from your undergrad institution, but the major really does has to be a moderately difficult one. you also need these specific courses completed with at the VERY LEAST a 3.5 gpa (overall and science) in order to apply to med school:
2 semesters (at the very least) each of: bio (but to be honest, 2 measly bio courses wont get you into med school), physics, gen chem, organic chem, english,calculus and/or statistics. you will also need excellent mcat scores and volunteer work. many schools require medical research, and many of them even require that research be published in a nat'l medical journal (my school, northwestern is one of them; keep in mind though, that 90% of applicants will have really extraordinary resumes so you really have to be the best of the best. if youre not in the top 10% of your class- now or in college-, your chances are much much lower. harsh but true). it sounds as though you dont know how many years it takes to become a doctor, or what schooling you need at all, and as an incoming senior, you should at least have a better idea than you do. you do not major in anything related to medicine in undergrad! you cannot become a physician without attending medical school! you cannot go to medical school without a bachelor's degree! you cannot specialize in anything straight out of med school; you must do a residency then a fellowship! you do not major in anything in medical school! these are the basics; you should look into this much more before you make your decision. its not as easy as it sounds like you think it is; its the most competitive academic field out there and it was the toughest thing ive ever had to do in my life. we like to say "the hardest part of becoming a doctor is getting into med school". good luck.

Kurt Said:

What can one expect on the first visit with a physical medicine/rehabilitation doctor?

We Answered:

assessment