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Why Refer a Patient to a Physiatrist?

A physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Physiatrists work with people of all ages, from young infants to centenarians still enjoying life. Physiatrists assess patients, offer treatments to reduce pain and improve function.

We help people recovering from acute illnesses, injuries or surgeries, as well as patients with chronic pain. We also treat athletes and weekend warriors. Any specialist can make a physiatry referral.

Why refer your patients to a Geisinger physiatrist?

  • Access to specialist care: Physicians such as primary care providers, rheumatologists, internal medicine specialists, sports medicine providers and orthopaedists see many patients in a single day. It can be challenging to fully assess what specialty care will most benefit a patient. We can help patients who present with a range of needs, such as chronic pain, mobility problems or loss of function. When you send a patient to a physiatrist, they will see a specialist who will evaluate and treat their pain and functional needs.
  • Better outcomes: Physiatrists offer many nonsurgical treatments, from pain-relieving injections and nerve stimulation techniques to manual manipulation. We consistently receive high patient satisfaction scores from patients with chronic pain. PCPs and other physicians who deal with chronic pain patients may not be aware what physiatrists can do for these patients. Read more about physiatry at Geisinger.
  • Save patients time and money: Patients are increasingly becoming consumers. They want to spend their time and money where it will most benefit them. A physiatrist can quickly shepherd patients to the most effective treatment and therapy. We work closely with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, orthopaedic surgery and neurology and neurosurgery.
  • Top physiatry residency program: Our application for a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program has been approved and accredited by ACGME. Our residency program director, Dr. Bryan O’ Young, is internationally known. He is the editor-in-chief of one of the most widely used PM&R textbooks in the world.

Physiatry conditions and treatments

Our team provides therapy that will help people of all ages regain function after disability, injury or illness.

Request a consultation today

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