Rehabilitation Physician

Your Fit

Income

$253K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

3.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Rehabilitation Physician?

A Rehabilitation Physician, also known as a Physiatrist, is a medical doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Their focus is on restoring function to people with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

Sample job titles:

MD (Medical Doctor), Pain Management Physician, Physiatrist, Physician

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Rehabilitation Physician.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

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How much does a Rehabilitation Physician earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$67K per year	$95K per year	$253K per year	NA per year	NA per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $204K above the national average.

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What does a Rehabilitation Physician do?

Work environment

Rehabilitation Physicians work in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, and private practices. They may also work in academic and research settings. Their environment is typically collaborative, involving work with a team of healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

Quick task list

Diagnoses and treats a wide range of physical conditions.
Develops comprehensive rehabilitation plans.
Coordinates with a multidisciplinary team to provide patient care.
Performs procedures such as injections and nerve conduction studies.
Counsels patients and families about disability management.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pain Management: Focusing on managing chronic pain conditions.
Pediatric Rehabilitation: Specializing in rehabilitation for children with disabilities.
Spinal Cord Injury Medicine: Treating and rehabilitating spinal cord injuries.
Sports Medicine: Addressing physical injuries related to sports and exercise.
Brain Injury Medicine: Specializing in rehabilitation for individuals with brain injuries.

Description

Rehabilitation Physicians play a vital role in healthcare by helping patients regain function and quality of life. Their expertise lies in understanding how different medical conditions affect physical function and designing comprehensive treatment plans that address the unique needs of each patient. These plans often involve a variety of therapies and may include medication management, physical interventions, and assistive devices.

Their work requires not only a broad medical knowledge but also a deep understanding of how physical impairments impact daily life. Rehabilitation Physicians must be excellent communicators and collaborators, as they often lead multidisciplinary teams and work closely with patients and their families. They need to be empathetic and patient, with a strong focus on helping patients achieve their maximum potential.

The field is diverse, allowing physicians to work with patients of all ages with a variety of medical issues, from sports injuries to chronic illnesses and major traumas. It combines clinical and diagnostic skills with a problem-solving approach to improve patient outcomes.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a significant difference in the quality of life of patients.
Seeing tangible improvements in patients' abilities and independence.
Collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the work.
Opportunities for specialization and continuous learning.

You might make a good Rehabilitation Physician if you are...

Passionate about helping people overcome physical challenges.
Interested in a holistic approach to medicine and patient care.
A strong communicator who enjoys working as part of a team.
Patient, empathetic, and committed to long-term patient care.
Intrigued by the mechanics of the human body and rehabilitation techniques.

Pros:

Rewarding work with visible impact on patient recovery.
Diverse patient population and conditions.
Opportunities for both clinical practice and research.

Cons:

Lengthy and competitive educational path.
Emotional challenges of working with patients with severe disabilities.
Can involve long working hours, particularly in hospital settings.

How to become a Rehabilitation Physician

Typical education

The path to becoming a Rehabilitation Physician includes a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, and 3-4 years of residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Some physiatrists also pursue fellowship training for further specialization.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Chemistry for a strong science foundation.
Physics to understand mechanics and movement.
Psychology to gain insights into human behavior and coping mechanisms.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at healthcare facilities, especially rehabilitation centers or hospitals.
Participating in sports or physical education to understand body mechanics and physical wellness.
Engaging in community service, particularly with organizations assisting individuals with disabilities.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree with a focus on pre-medical studies or a related science field.
Attend medical school to obtain an MD or DO degree.
Complete a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Consider fellowship training for further specialization in a specific area of rehabilitation medicine.
Obtain board certification and state medical licensure.

More resources

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) - Provides resources, education, and advocacy for physiatrists.
Association of Academic Physiatrists - Focuses on research and education in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) - Offers board certification information for rehabilitation physicians.
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine - Publishes scientific research relevant to the field of rehabilitation medicine.
National Rehabilitation Association - Offers resources for professionals involved in various aspects of rehabilitation.

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