The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Discipline-based Pathway is designed for students who are considering residency training and a career in PM&R. Students will receive mentoring and guidance as they design their 4th year curricular plan, complete 4th year coursework, and apply for residency training.

Sites and Personnel

Pathway Director and Site Coordinator:

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Goals and Objectives

The goals of the PM&R Discipline-based Pathway are:

• To assist students in structuring their senior year rotations to enrich their education experiences, provide career exploration opportunities, and best prepare them for residency training in PM&R
• Advise students on the residency application and match process
• Assist students with career decision-making related to a future career in PM&R

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Required Courses

Emergency Medicine Subinternship
Emergency Medicine Subinternship is required by the University as a senior year course. During this course we would expect that the student will learn the principles of rapid assessment and stabilization of critically ill and injured patients; learn the initial evaluation and management of the wide range of undifferentiated patient complaints in the Emergency Department; gain skills, specialized examination technique and real-time interpretation of diagnostic studies; participate in common and more advanced procedures.

Required Subinternship Objectives: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Pathway students may select between a Medicine Subinternship, Pediatric Subinternship or Surgery Subinternship
By the end of the rotation learners will be able to:

1. Take ownership of their patients and be the primary point person regarding their care.
2. Demonstrate the ability to care for patients with increasing independence while seeking help when appropriate
3. Handle the daily tasks of an intern including preparing for rounds, presenting on rounds, interprofessional knowledge and communication skills, and patient interactions, histories and physicals, note writing of all varieties, and sign-out in a proficient and efficient manner.
4. Apply their knowledge towards diagnosis and management of common acute complaints and chronic conditions, creating care plans and communicating with consultants as necessary.
5. Perform general procedures through demonstration of the necessary preparation and key issues required for the performance of procedures, including understanding patient-specific factors, indications, contraindications, risks, benefits, and alternatives. 
6. Demonstrate reliable mechanical skills in performing procedures in most situations and knows when to seek help for procedures or situations beyond the learner’s abilities.
7. Perform safe transitions of care, coordination of care, and discharge planning.

Transition to Clinician II: Transition to Residency

Pathway Required Course

• PM&R Rotation - 4 weeks (Home or Away)

Recommended Electives (minimum of 8 weeks)

• PM&R Rotation #2: It is strongly recommended that students complete a second PM&R elective at a University or University-affiliated institution with a residency program in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to gain a broader exposure and perspective in the discipline.
• Pediatric PM&R
• Anesthesiology
• Critical Care (Medical ICU, Surgical ICU, Surgical Trauma ICU, Neurology ICU, Neurosurgical ICU, Coronary Care Unit)
• Geriatrics
• Neuroradiology
• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Rheumatology
• Sports Medicine

Electives should be chosen based on the student's interests and/or areas in which the student would like to gain additional knowledge (e.g., those that the student self-identifies as areas of weakness).

See DUCOM Student Handbook for additional details regarding Graduation Requirements.

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Learning resources will vary depending on the rotations selected. For specific suggestions, students should review the course description and discuss with the individual course directors or with the Pathway Director.

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Evaluation

Evaluation of the Student
The student's performance in each rotation will be evaluated by supervising physicians, and residents when appropriate, using the standard Drexel University College of Medicine clinical evaluation form. Students not receiving a grade of satisfactory or higher will be counseled and provided with remediation.

Evaluation of 4th year Courses
Upon completion of each rotation, students are encouraged to complete the end-of-rotation evaluation form in DOCSS. Students have the opportunity to provide feedback on the rotation as well as on specific faculty (and residents) with whom they worked in DOCSS. All feedback is de-identified.

Evaluation of the Pathway
Students are encouraged to complete an end-of-year Pathway evaluation for the Pathway. The feedback from this evaluation will help in advising future students more effectively.

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