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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Medical Student Portal

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialty at a Glance

Students interested in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) should be drawn to improving the quality of life for patients with physical impairments or disabilities. This specialty focuses on enhancing functional abilities through a combination of medical management, therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation techniques. PM&R physicians work closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop individualized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each patient, whether recovering from injury, illness or dealing with chronic conditions.

No match statistics are available at this time.

A student may choose this specialty if they like to help people maximize their functional independence. On the inpatient side, PM&R often oversees rehabilitation after stroke, spinal cord injury, or brain injuries. On the outpatient side, there are aspects of neurology, sports medicine/pain medicine, orthopedics, and some other fields. There are also opportunities to perform a lot of procedures including EMGs and injections.

For phase 1, any type of exposure to the field of PM&R is a good thing. Whether this is shadowing a PM&R physician during free time, working on case reports or research projects, or involvement in the student interest group, exposure is the most evident way to prepare as a student.

It is highly recommended to complete two PM&R electives, including one away elective if you are particularly interested in a specific program. Electives in sports medicine and neurology can also be beneficial.

There are no strong recommendations for sub-Is in this specialty.

If you're seriously considering an away program, then yes. Regardless, multiple PM&R rotations are recommended.

Research is always a positive aspect of an application, and it helps to be specific to PM&R but is not an absolute need on an application in this specialty.

Residency training for this specialty is four years total. Some programs are categorical, and others are transitional. Residency programs range widely in terms of how many residents there are per program. The IU School of Medicine PM&R Residency program offers four spots per year.

It is recommended to attain at least two PM&R letters of recommendation.

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) offers resources for medical students and a guide to the specialty.

The IU School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation faculty are happy to assist with mentoring. IU School of Medicine pairs a student with a faculty member who can assist with mentorship and help with general guidance, networking, electives and the application process.