Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
The field of medicine encompasses various branches, each of which holds significant importance. However, without their collective integration, any healthcare system would find it challenging to provide comprehensive services that promote the well-being of individuals and communities. In the following lines, you will learn about one of the prominent branches in the medical world: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). This specialization focuses on diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating individuals whose mobility and functional abilities have been impaired by injuries, disabilities resulting from diseases, accidents, or surgical operations. What distinguishes PM&R from other medical fields is its comprehensive approach to patient care that includes addressing physical aspects along with considering psychological and human aspects to enhance patients’ quality of life and well-being.
While the roots of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation date back to ancient times, it has evolved significantly and modernized during the first half of the twentieth century, a period marked by two world wars that left millions injured. Many countries established specialized centers to assist these individuals in returning to their daily life activities and reintegrating into society. The first academic course in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was founded in 1908 at Harvard University by Dr. Frank H. Krusen, considered one of the prominent founders of this field. Subsequently, medical schools developed independent programs in this specialization, known since the late 1940s as “Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation” or “PM&R,” also referred to as “Physiatry.”
The specialization continued to evolve and became an integral part of advanced healthcare sectors. It gave rise to sub-specializations such as Pain Management, Sports Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Neuromuscular Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Cancer Rehabilitation, Prosthetics, and Orthotics.
The duties of a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician vary based on each sub-specialization and the requirements of each case. Nevertheless, their primary goal remains helping patients regain their mobility and functional abilities to the greatest extent possible and adapt to any lasting effects, enabling them to return to a pain-free, normal life.
To achieve this, the physician must accurately diagnose and assess the condition to determine the necessary therapeutic interventions. Subsequently, they design a suitable treatment plan and oversee its implementation with a multi-disciplinary team that may include Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech and Swallowing Therapists, as well as nursing staff, depending on the needs of each case. Additionally, they may need to make modifications to the treatment plan when required, all the while providing psychological support to the patient throughout their recovery journey.
To pursue a career in this specialization, you initially need to study General Medicine and obtain a Bachelor’s degree. After that, you can specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation by enrolling in an appropriate residency program at a medical institution that allows you to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience and receive the training that qualifies you to become a specialized physician. Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada are among the best countries in the world to study this specialization, and the field is expected to experience further growth in the coming years. Moreover, it holds a promising future in Qatar, given the state’s continuous commitment to developing the healthcare sector and investing in it.
Dr. Fatma Jassim Al Kuwari
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Consultant
Assistant Chairperson of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department
Qatar Rehabilitation Institute
Hamad Medical Corporation
Ever since I was young, even before starting high school, I aspired to become a doctor. After achieving high grades in the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 1990, I was granted a scholarship to study medicine at the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree before returning to Qatar to complete my residency at Hamad Medical Corporation.
During my work at Rumailah Hospital, I developed a fondness for the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and I decided to specialize in this area. What encouraged me the most was my personal interest in helping others and my core desire to provide assistance, which aligns perfectly with the essence of this field.
Later, I decided to travel to Sweden to pursue further studies and specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. I joined Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm to obtain the Swedish Board Certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. My academic journey there spanned six years, including a full year dedicated to learning the Swedish language. Practical training was carried out through my work as a physician in the university hospital, involving various roles such as examining cases, diagnosing, providing treatment, writing medical reports, and participating in outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, medical meetings and lectures, and specialized workshops.
The task was not easy, especially with the responsibility of caring for my two children during my studies, juggling between being a physician, a student, a mother, a homemaker, and an educator for my children. Many times, I spent more than eight consecutive hours at the university hospital, and I moved between several places of residence during my years there. However, with God’s grace, determination, and a clear goal to achieve, my academic journey resulted in the accomplishment of my objectives.
After returning to Qatar, I joined the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Hamad Medical Corporation, where I currently work as a consultant in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Additionally, I hold the position of Assistant Chairperson of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute.
My responsibilities at work encompass various departments, including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, the daily rehabilitation unit, and community-based rehabilitation. In my role, I lead a therapeutic team comprising physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and swallowing therapists, psychologists, social workers, and nursing staff.
Patients are transferred from Hamad General Hospital to the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, where we develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes short and long-term goals. We also provide a post-discharge treatment plan by engaging with the patient’s family and support network to familiarize them with the proper ways to deal with the patient’s new condition following the injury. Moreover, we collaborate with the patient’s workplace to assist them in returning to work and identifying suitable job positions that align with their new mobility capacities post-treatment. Through our return-to-work program at the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, we have successfully reintegrated 130 patients into their jobs, either to their previous roles or new positions. We have encountered significant cooperation and understanding from employers, contributing to improving the patients’ well-being and fostering a sense of empowerment and community participation.
One of the major challenges a rehabilitation physician faces is finding the appropriate and effective means of communicating with the patient to help them comprehend the nature of their injury and adapt to their new circumstances. Some patients may, for instance, resist leaving the hospital due to fear of facing society with their new condition and feeling embarrassed in their interactions with others. This highlights the importance of effective communication skills that rehabilitation physicians should possess to overcome such challenges. Additionally, patience and teamwork skills are essential, along with a commitment to continuously stay updated with professional and medical developments in the field.
I encourage students to be diligent and perseverant in their fields of study, contributing to the advancement of our generous nation. I advise them to seriously consider pursuing medicine and specializing in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation because it is a highly important specialization that offers the opportunity to help others regain hope and return to their normal lives. There is nothing like the sense of fulfillment they will experience when witnessing the sheer joy in the eyes of patients and their families, as they realize that they are one of the reasons behind their recovery.
