If you've never even heard of physiatry, you're not alone. Some computer
spell-check programs still don't recognize it! But this growing medical field
has helped millions of patients.
Physiatrists are doctors who specialize in the practice of physical medicine
and rehabilitation.
Traditional medicine focuses on diagnosing the underlying problem. For
example, if a patient complains of weakness, the doctor may determine that
nerves or muscles are the cause of the problem.
Physiatry takes a look at the bigger picture, the whole patient. Physiatrists
will look at how the patient's problem affects his or her daily life. Then
they will work to find a way to solve that problem -- from being able to climb
a few stairs in their house to managing to button up a coat.
Dr. Jennifer Yao is a physiatrist. She explains the difference between
a "regular" medical doctor and a physiatrist.
"Physiatry is unique in that it focuses on a patient's functional capacity
[what the patient can do]. It is not a specialty that focuses on a particular
organ system like many other specialties. Physiatry is concerned with the
management of disabilities, and maximizing patient function within the limits
of their impairment."
For Dr. Timothy Doherty, also a physiatrist, teamwork is key to the patient's
recovery. "The other aspect of it that is important to consider is that most
physicians [regular doctors] traditionally work independently," he says. "It's
the physician and the patient -- prescribing medication, considering surgery,
doing diagnostic tests and so on.
"Physiatrists often work within teams, especially on in-patient units.
So the physiatrist is often the leader of a team which might include occupational
therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, nurses, pharmacists and so on.
"By doing that you can actually provide a little more all-encompassing
care for the patient, as opposed to only dealing with maybe the acute underlying
medical problem."
Physiatrists may work in private practice or in hospitals or clinics.
On a typical day in a hospital, the physiatrist would arrive early and do
rounds for an hour or so. The physiatrist would first see in-patients, and
then consult with other members of the medical team.
Often the physiatrist would then visit an out-patient clinic and see patients
who are ill or recovering, but still mobile. It's not unusual for physiatrists
to continue seeing and checking the progress of a patient for up to two years
after the first visit. This is especially true with people recovering from
major accidents, injuries or strokes.
Many physiatrists are also very active in research, community work and
support for people with disabilities. "It's a pretty varied field," says Dr.
Doherty.