Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us

Physiatrist

What is physiatry?

Physical medicine and rehabilitation is also called physiatry. This medical specialty focuses on evaluating and treating people with a disease, disorder, or injury that impairs their normal function.

What is a physiatrist?

A physiatrist is a healthcare provider who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Physiatrists complete 4 years of medical school, plus 4 more years of residency training. Many complete fellowship training in a specialty area. After that, healthcare providers are eligible to take the tests (oral and written) of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to become a board-certified physiatrist.

These specialists provide many medical services. But they don't do surgery. They treat many conditions that affect the following:

  • Muscles and bones

  • Heart and blood vessels

  • Lungs and breathing

  • Nervous system

This includes conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, work- and sports-related injuries, and brain or spinal cord injuries.

Physiatrists work in many settings, such as:

  • Hospitals

  • Inpatient rehab centers

  • Outpatient rehab centers

  • Private practice

A physiatrist leads a rehab team. This team may include physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, rehab nurses, and others as needed. The goal is to treat the whole person. This means addressing a person's physical, emotional, work, and social needs.

Online Medical Reviewer: L Renee Watson MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C
Online Medical Reviewer: Thomas N Joseph MD
Date Last Reviewed: 2/1/2023
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
The health content and information on this site is made possible through the generous support of the Haspel Education Fund.
StayWell Disclaimer