Physiatry Careers

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Although you may not have heard of this area of medicine, physiatry is an essential and necessary specialization. Physiatry, also referred to as “physical medicine and rehabilitation,” involves enhancing and restoring both quality of life and functional ability to people who have disabilities or physical impairments.

A physiatrist is a physician, either a doctor of osteopathic medicine, D.O., or a medical doctor, an M.D., who practices in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists have been practicing for more than 70 years. During World War II, physiatrists helped soldiers suffering from neuromuscular disabilities improve their ability to function and, as a result, their overall sense of well-being. In 1947, the Advisory Board of Medical Specialties officially approved physiatry as a specialty of medicine. More than 6,000 physiatrists are practicing today.

Physiatrists typically focus on treating the joints, muscles, bones, nerves, tendons, and ligaments using non-surgical treatments, such as injections, pain medications, braces, and more. They also prescribe various types of therapies for patients, such as physical therapy.

Overview of Physiatry: What Does a Physiatrist Do?

Required Skills

Physiatrists should possess a variety of traits and skills to succeed in this career field. Those who exhibit the following characteristics and types of knowledge can usually command a higher salary:

Typical Work Environment & Occupational Challenges

Physiatrists work in a variety of settings, which can vary widely depending on the physiatrist’s location and the area of specialization. Physiatrists may work nights, weekends, and holidays. Some of the most common work environments for physiatrists include:

Physiatry: Duties and Responsibilities

Physiatrists perform a variety of tests and tasks to help their patients achieve their desired level of functioning. Physiatrists’ typical responsibilities include:

Physiatry: Occupational Challenges

The physiatrist must ensure that each patient receives the best possible treatment. The key to meeting this challenge is close collaboration with other medical professionals on the patient’s treatment team.

Physiatry Salary & Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t track salary data for physiatrists specifically, but as of May 2022, they report that specialized physicians like physiatrists earn an average annual salary of$238,700.

Physiatry Degrees, Education, & Training

To become a physiatrist, the student must first obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. Most individuals interested in physiatry major in pre-med, biology, or chemistry, although other majors can also apply. Regardless of the major, these undergraduate courses typically are required:

Medical School

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, the student must complete four years of medical school to become a physiatrist. To gain acceptance into medical school, admissions committees look at the following when evaluating candidates:

While in medical school, physiatrist candidates gain in-depth knowledge of pathology, anatomy, ethics, biochemistry, and more. Third- and fourth-year students typically complete clinical rotations during which they put into practice the knowledge they have learned in medical school.

Residency or Fellowship

Physiatrists also complete four additional years of postdoctoral residency training. During the first year of residency, physiatrists learn fundamental clinical skills. Throughout the next three years, physiatrists acquire the skills critical to the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. A large part of most residency programs focuses on learning correct patient diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Licensure

Subspecialties

The field of physiatry holds a variety of interesting subspecialties, ranging from sports injury to stroke rehabilitation. Some of the most popular include:

Job Outlook for Physiatrists

The physiatrist position falls under the broad category of physicians and surgeons, positions with exceptional job prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected employment for doctors and surgeons is expected to grow much faster than average through the year 2024. Board-certified physiatrists, who have an even better job outlook, also command higher salaries.

Physiatry Organizations & Associations

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forphysicians (all other)are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2023.

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