What to Expect

For the most part, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residents at Indiana University School of Medicine can maintain a good work-life balance; the resident lifestyle is quite predictable.

Call Schedule

PM&R residents have a moderate call schedule that varies depending on progression stage in the program. Residents are required to provide inpatient services only during calls. The call schedule becomes lighter as residents progress through the program and the volume of calls during the internship year is usually the most demanding.

Second-year residents can expect to be on call four nights per month with one weekend call every three to six weeks. Third-year residents get three calls per month, and fourth year residents can expect two calls per month.

Patient Care

The PM&R resident may or may not manage a large portion of the patient’s acute medical problems, depending on the particular institution’s threshold for admitting rehab patients based on acuity of care. As a general rule, inpatient services tend to be more strenuous than outpatient ones. 

Moonlighting

Moonlighting may be considered on a case-by-case basis after a resident’s PGY2 year is successfully completed. PM&R residents must have any moonlighting positions authorized by the program director.

Benefits

IU School of Medicine Office of Graduate Medical Education offers a generous benefits package that includes paid insurance (health, life and disability), licensure fees, and some cafeteria meals as well as paid time off.

The PM&R program is committed to making this multi-year journey a great experience for both faculty and residents. One of the ways we try to stay connected is through our mentorship program. Mentorship is not only about professional growth but also an instrument to connect people in a way they may not have normally had a chance to interact.

Our mentorship program was developed to allow multiple interactions and provide guidance along with connectedness with staff and co-residents. PGY 1 residents are assigned a core faculty member and a PGY 3 resident as mentors right as they start their adventure out of medical school. Even if the resident is at a different institution for their transitional year internship, they will have a connection to the residency program during that first year.

As PGY 3s, residents have an opportunity to give back and become mentors to the incoming PGY 1 class. They also have a chance to change or add a mentor that may help with their specific career planning, whether they are planning to pursue a fellowship or employment.

Wellness and Connectedness

We also have opportunities throughout the year to have faculty and resident mingle outside of work. We enjoy our annual pool party, Christmas party, and graduation party. We also will occasionally have some more impromptu get togethers at parks for families to play and socialize. The residents also have specific outings that occur at least twice a year to allow for more time connect. Residents and staff connect out on the lake with an annual Adaptive Waterski Clinic.

Each year we have presentations from faculty on wellness strategies and prevention of burnout. IU School of Medicine offers many wellness resources on topics of nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mental health, and creating healthy habits. We want residents to have a safe and enjoyable experience during their years here and strive to provide the time and resources to make this a reality.

Our department is dedicated to wellness not just for ourselves but for our patients. We have become a site for the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. This allows residents to have additional education, resources, and opportunities on how we can make changes in our community and help combat some of the lifestyle habits that are harming the individuals and the larger community. This is an exciting opportunity to help make lasting change and hopefully prevent disability before it even happens.