Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is sometimes described as medicine of function. How do you define success in a patient’s rehabilitation journey when cure may not be possible?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question checks if you understand that success in PM&R is about improving function and quality of life, not just curing diseases. Interviewers want to see if you can set realistic, patient-centered goals.
Tips
- Define success in terms of functional gains and independence, not just medical cures.
- Focus on what matters to the patient—ask about their personal goals and values.
- Acknowledge that progress can be slow; celebrate small victories along the way.
Common mistakes
- Don't just talk about full recovery; that shows you don't get the PM&R philosophy.
- Avoid making it all about medical metrics or your achievements instead of the patient's experience.
- Steer clear of vague answers; be specific about how you would define success for different patients.