Physiatrist Education and Training

The specialty of physiatry (also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation) began in the 1930s and was recognized as a medical specialty in 1947. Physiatrists are medical doctors who, in addition to medical school, also complete 4 additional years of postdoctoral residency training.

During this residency training, they spend 1 year studying fundamental clinical skills and three 3 specifically on physical medicine and rehabilitation. They also receive a great deal of training in diagnosing and treating pain problems.

After residency, the physician must pass a written and oral exam in order to be a board certified physiatrist.

Some physiatrists continue their medical education even further by doing an internship in a subspecialty of physiatry. Subspecialties in this field include:

• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
• Pediatrics
• Spinal cord injury
• Sports medicine
• Traumatic brain injury
• Pain medicine