A Career in Rehabilitation Medicine
Apart from the distinct medical role in the rehabilitation of patients which covers the management of pain, mobility, locomotor problems, spasticity, continence, cognitive and behavioural disorders, the essential requirements in rehabilitation are for multi-disciplinary working.
The specialty attracts people with enthusiasm who have a desire to devote a "hands-on" commitment to their careers.
It is very much a practical specialty with a potential for considerable scientific and academic development.
A Committed & Close-Working Specialty
The specialty requires a commitment during the day, but one of its main attractions is the lack of an onerous on-call commitment. Part-time training is easily catered for and the specialty provides a blend of clinical and academic interest with a degree of freedom not often seen in other specialties.
Other attractions include close working with many other health professionals and staff from other agencies, as well as with engineers, prosthetists and orthotists.
A Cutting-Edge Technical Specialty
The possibilities for disabled people to use technical advances is easily seen in Rehabilitation Medicine and these include specialised communication, disability aids, environmental controls, artificial limbs, complex wheelchairs and orthoses. Both private practice and medico-legal work enhance remuneration for a rewarding style of NHS practice and there is a close sense of unity among doctors in Rehabilitation Medicine.