The impact of illness on function — the ability to move, communicate, care for oneself, and work — is often just as important as the illness itself. When illness results in decreased function, the resulting disability can have a significant impact on every aspect of a patient's life.

Physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) know that the ability to function is the key to the quality of life. These specialists, called physiatrists, are experts in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disabilities of all types and offer a holistic approach to patient care.

Working with an interdisciplinary team of experts in many fields, including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, psychology, social work, and others, physiatrists strive to maximize each patient's function, quality of life, and independence.

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, prepares you to provide exceptional rehabilitative care for patients through training that offers clinical and research excellence. Through this residency, you can learn to help patients achieve their maximum functional capacity and highest quality of life. The residency prepares you for a career in private practice, research, or academic medicine.

Highlights of the program include:

• A diverse curriculum covering injection techniques, clinical practice pearls, and diagnosis and management of disorders seen in a physical medicine and rehabilitation practice
• A learning environment that fosters the development of your clinical skills and academic abilities in all areas of rehabilitation medicine
• A balance between outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation experience, including subspecialty rehabilitation programs, electromyography, neurology, and research
• Extensive EMG and musculoskeletal medicine training, including ultrasound
• A large, varied patient population and close working relationships with a large staff of physiatrists
• The opportunity to form collegial relationships with internationally recognized experts in many related medical and surgical specialties

Accreditation

The PM&R Residency is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Certification

After completing the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency, you will be eligible to take the certification examination offered by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Program history

Physiatrists at Mayo Clinic developed the PM&R Residency in 1936, with the first resident graduating three years later in 1939. Since then, more than 325 residents have completed this training program. It is anticipated that eight trainees will complete this residency each year.

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