Physiatry
What is physiatry, and why post-acute facilities want it.
Physiatry is physical medicine and rehabilitation, the medical specialty focused on restoring function after illness, injury or surgery.
The specialty
Physicians who treat function, not just a diagnosis.
A physiatrist is an MD or DO who completes residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They diagnose and treat conditions of the muscles, bones, nerves and brain that affect how a person moves and lives, and they lead the rehabilitation plan rather than a single procedure.
Function first
The goal is mobility, independence and a return to the patient's optimal state, measured against goals set with therapy.
Team leaders
Physiatrists coordinate therapy, nursing, primary care and specialists around one plan.
Non-surgical
Medication, injections, bracing and therapy prescriptions, with surgery as a referral, not a default.
Documentation that holds up
Clear notes that support the need for therapy, survey criteria and audits.
In post-acute care
Where a physiatrist fits in a skilled nursing facility.
Post-acute rehabilitation
From admission through a safe discharge, with rounding twice a week and length of stay decided on real progress. Read more
Pain management and procedures
Peripheral joint and trigger point injections that reduce pain so therapy can do its work. Read more
Long-term residents
Evaluating functional decline and the benefit of therapy so residents progress back to baseline. See the SNF program
Training
What the training looks like.
Physiatrists complete medical school, an internship year, and a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Some, like PRC's Dr. Kyaw KZ Lin, add a fellowship in pain medicine.
PRC's physicians trained at programs including the University of California, Irvine, NYU Langone Health and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, and the group's founder is board certified in the specialty.
Bring physiatry into your building.
Speak with a dedicated PRC team member on a quick virtual meeting.