How is a Physiatrist Trained

To become a physiatrist, after four years of undergraduate training, individuals must then successfully complete four years of graduate medical education and four additional years of postdoctoral residency training. Residency training includes one year, often referred to as “internship”, spent developing fundamental clinical skills in the areas of internal medicine and/or general surgery. This year is followed by three additional years of dedicated training in the full scope of the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R).

There are 79 accredited residency programs in physical medicine and rehabilitation in the United States. Many physiatrists choose to pursue additional advanced degrees (MS, PhD) or complete fellowship training in a specific area of the specialty. Fellowships are available for specialized study in such areas as musculoskeletal rehabilitation, pediatrics, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and sports medicine. The phsyiatrists of Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine are uniquely fellowship trained in interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine. Drs. Lipetz and Beer received their specialty training at two of the most highly regarded and sought after fellowship training programs at nationally recognized medical centers.

Following clinical training, to become board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, physiatrists are required to pass both a written and oral examination administered by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPM&R). The ABPM&R also has agreements with each of the boards of pediatrics, internal medicine, and neurology to allow special training programs leading to certification in both specialties.

Physiatrists who have completed the appropriate training and experience in particular areas of clinical expertise are also given the unique opportunity to pursue additional and subspecialty board certification. Such opportunities exist in the areas of pain medicine, sports medicine, spinal cord injury, pediatric rehabilitation, and soon, neuromuscular medicine.

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