Rehabilitation physicians require an undergraduate and medical degree, as well as a residency in rehabilitation medicine. They work with a team of healthcare professionals to help patients regain functionality and independence. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential, and they must stay current with new ideas in rehabilitation.
To become a rehabilitation physician, you must obtain both undergraduate and medical degrees. A medical internship and residency in rehabilitation medicine are also standard requirements. This type of doctor helps people suffering from disabling injuries or illnesses regain as much functionality as possible. While every case is unique, every patient’s goal is to live as independently and pain-free as possible. Rehabilitation physicians work closely with a team of healthcare professionals to enhance patient recovery.
To become a rehabilitation physician, a medical school graduate who has completed an internship will apply to one of 80 accredited residency programs in rehabilitation medicine in the US. During this time, the physician may also consider pursuing one of the subspecialties of rehabilitation medicine. This includes pain, spinal cord, sport, neuromuscular and palliative medicine, as well as pediatric rehabilitation. The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPM&R) works with certification boards in pediatrics, internal medicine, and neurology to enable graduates to become certified in rehabilitation medicine and another specialty. Rehabilitation physicians may also pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in their chosen field.
To become a rehabilitation physician, the physician must develop strong leadership and communication skills. During the rehabilitation process, each patient’s care will be overseen by a team of physicians and other healthcare professionals. The rehabilitation physician is usually the team leader and, in collaboration with other medical professionals, develops a treatment plan for each patient.
Rehabilitation physicians are the members of the treatment team who frequently notify the patient’s family of progress in treatment and modifications to the treatment plan. Rehabilitation doctors also explain to the patient and family when the benefits of treatment are coming to an end. This is a stressful situation, and excellent people skills and empathy are an important part of the job.
The successful rehabilitation physician must be a well-educated physician with the ability to communicate with his or her concerned colleagues and family members, as well as with patients who may have cognitive impairments. To become a rehabilitation physician, the physician must meet strict educational requirements, and it is necessary for him to stay current on new ideas in rehabilitation. Although the work is demanding, rehabilitation physicians generally find their work to be very rewarding.
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