2W: Principles of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

School of Medicine

This course is designed to provide exposure to the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) with an emphasis on musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation. Many of these patients have had acute illness, trauma, surgical procedures, and prolonged hospitalization and require inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation. The student will be asked to participate in a series of introductory lectures as well as rounds, clinics, and case discussions. The attending physician on the PM&R service will define participation in patient care. The student will be expected to participate in the evaluation of individuals with significant impairment and disability such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, amputations/complex fractures, multiple trauma and general debility. Outpatient clinics are available to expose students to the long-term problems which these patients encounter. At the conclusion of the two weeks, students will be able to take a PM&R oriented history; perform a physical examination with an emphasis on functional status and disability; formulate rehabilitation goals; and understand the importance of rehabilitation as part of the post-acute care continuum.