Another somewhat unknown specialty...the Rehab physician...something we can learn about from our primary care physicians and when one might be beneficial to our health care...BD
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) told family physicians attending an annual meeting here that rehabilitation physicians, also known as physiatrists, can be important allies in helping patients decrease pain and improve function without extreme interventions or costly procedures. At a session of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), doctors learned that despite the value rehabilitation physicians (physiatrists) offer patients, very few Americans are even aware of the specialty or know to ask about it. Family practitioners, the first contact for most people with undiagnosed health concerns, could play a key role in guiding patients to talk to rehabilitation physicians who are nerve, muscle and bone experts, treating injuries or illnesses that affect how patients move.
Rehabilitation physicians specialize in non-surgical management of a full range of conditions including low back, shoulder and neck pain, tendonitis, arthritis, osteoporosis, sports injuries, or more complex conditions such as spinal cord injuries, stroke and cardiac rehabilitation and traumatic brain injuries, using advanced diagnostic techniques and treatment options. The AAPM&R survey indicated that 70% of respondents go to their PCP for information about medical professionals or specialists prior to visiting a specialist.
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