PHYSIATRIST
Physiatry , also known as Physical medicine and rehabilitation is a recently developed speciality. There are very few trained physicians in the field of physiatry today. The physiatrist is the leader of the rehabilitation team.
The functions of the physiatrist are:
1. Clinical assessment of the patient
2. Functional diagnosis
3. Evaluation of disability
4. Charting out a line of management with all professionals
5. Rehabilitation surgery to correct deformities
6. Reviews and follow up of the course of therapy
7. Statistics and research
8. Co - ordination with other members of the team
The physiatrist is in the best position to guide the patient and his relatives
through the challenging course of rehabilitation. He keeps in mind the
residual abilities of his patient, matches them with the skills of his team and limits the final disability of the patient.
It is imperative that the physiatrist has the knowledge sufficient enough in
each of the paramedical, medical and sociovocational specialities relevant
to rehabilitation to be able to provide the best possible course of therapy to
the patient. He is seen as friend , philosopher and guide to his team members and patients.By nature a physiatrist must be compassionate empathetic and understanding . He must be able to bring out the best in his team and listen patiently to individual opinions.