MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in India: Check out Admission process, Fees, Medical Colleges to apply, Eligibility Criteria

MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or Doctor of Medicine in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, also known as MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS. The duration of this postgraduate course is 3 years, and it focuses on the study of various concepts related to the field of various physical disabilities, the main aim is to achieve maximum restoration of physical, social, and psychological function through rehabilitation.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital (Delhi), Government Medical College (Calicut), Patna Medical College (Patna), and more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET PG Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing an MD (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) varies from college to college. The average course fee is Rs. 14K to Rs. 25 Lakh.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue a super-specialization course where MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs as Senior residents, Junior Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 5 lakh – Rs. 36 lakh per annum.

What is MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Doctor of Medicine in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, also known as M.D. (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) is a three-year postgraduate programme that candidates can pursue after completing MBBS.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is the branch of medical science dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of physical impairments, particularly those associated with disorders of the muscles, nerves, bones, or brain.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released the Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of MDs in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation would help the specialist recognize the community's health needs. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their specialty.

The candidate should be a highly competent doctor possessing a broad range of skills that will enable her/him to practice Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation independently. The PG candidate should also acquire the basic skills in teaching medical/para-medical students.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops, and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation:

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet to be eligible for admission, which include:

• Candidates must have an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• Candidates should have done a compulsory rotating internship of one year in a teaching institution or other institution which is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.

• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the MBBS Degree courses and compulsory rotatory Internship shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Candidates can view the complete admission process for MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation mentioned below:

• The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post Graduate is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma Courses.

• The requirement of eligibility criteria for participation in counseling towards PG seat allotment conducted by the concerned counseling authority shall be instead of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.

S.No.	Category	Eligibility Criteria
1.	General	50th Percentile
2.	SC/ST/OBC (Including PWD of SC/ST/OBC)	40th Percentile
3.	UR PWD	45th Percentile

• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for MD/MS seats through NEET- PG:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi, and other AIIMS

2. PGIMER, Chandigarh

3. JIPMER, Puducherry

4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

Fees Structure

The fee structure for MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is Rs. 14K to Rs. 25 Lakh.

Colleges offering MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing MD (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MD PMR).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering MD (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MD PMR) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

An MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (MD PMR) is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The course content for MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (MD PMR) is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, can be assessed on the link given below:

The course contents for MD (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) are divided into four broad sections, the content would include the following:

Section A:

1) Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the Musculoskeletal (including Biomechanics), Urogenital, Cardio-pulmonary and nervous systems, etc.

2) Basics of biochemical aspects of Calcium and Vit. D metabolism, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus etc.

3) Basic Pathological processes causing diseases and disabilities, healing etc.

4) Basic principles of Pharmacology as applied to the conditions encountered in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

5) Basic principles of diagnostic modalities as applied to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

6) Philosophy, history, scope and need of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

7) Basic concepts in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - definitions, rehabilitation team, team members, scope, role and responsibilities of different members etc.

8) Principles of evaluation and rehabilitation management of social problems

9) Principles of evaluation and rehabilitation management of vocational problems

10) Organisation and Administration of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services.

11) Disability process. Impairment, disability, International Classifications

12) Disability Prevention- levels and examples

13) Epidemiology of disability, magnitude, causes, changing trends etc.

14) Gait Analysis - Terminology, types, Clinical Applications

15) Electrodiagnostic Medicine - basic principles, clinical methods, interpretation etc.

16) Outcome Measures in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

17) Impairment Rating and Disability Evaluation

Section B:

18) Therapeutic exercises - principles, types, indications, contraindications

19) Physical agents/modalities - principles, types, indications, contra-indications, precautions.

20) Manipulation, traction, massage - principles, types, indications, contra- indications, precautions.

21) Electrical stimulation - principles, types, indications, contra-indications, precautions.

22) Principles and scope of Occupational Therapy

23) Rationale of A.D.L. (Activities of Daily Living) in various conditions

24) Integrative Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

25) Upper limb orthotic devices including splints– principles, types, materials and indications,

26) Lower limb orthotic devices including footwear modifications– principles, types, materials and indications

27) Spinal orthoses – principles, types, materials and indications

28) Upper limb prosthetics and amputee rehabilitation,

29) Lower limb prosthetics and amputee rehabilitation

30) Mobility aids, wheelchairs and seating systems,

31) Low back pain and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

32) Musculoskeletal trauma and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

33) Holistic Rehabilitation of persons suffering from:

• Arthritis, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis etc.

• Spinal deformity

• Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain etc.

• Osteoporosis

• Sports Injury

• Burns Injury

• Spinal Cord Injury (traumatic and non-traumatic)

34) Rehabilitation of persons:

• with obesity, dyslipidemia etc.

• after Arthroplasty

• after POP cast, Fracture treatment, Surgical intervention

35) Principles of Sports Medicine, diagnosis, evaluation, prevention, and management of sports injuries

36) Basic principles of rehabilitative surgeries such as deformity correction in poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy, clubfoot, contractures, revision of amputation stump, closure of pressure sore, tendon transfers etc.

Section C:

37) Holistic Rehabilitation of persons suffering from:

• Plexus or Nerve Injury

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Stroke

• Parkinsonism, Multiple sclerosis, Ataxia, neurodegenerative disorders etc.

• Neuropathy, Bell's Palsy etc.

• Hansen's Disease

• Diseases of Muscles e.g. myopathy, motor-neuron disease, myasthenia gravis etc.

• Cerebral Palsy

• Spasticity

• Poliomyelitis and its sequalae

• Cardiovascular Disease e.g. CAD, MI, CABG Surgery, Angioplasty, Cardiac transplantation etc.

• Pulmonary Disease e.g. COPD, Bronchiectesis, Cystic fibrosis etc.

• Cancer

• Swallowing disorder

• Bladder dysfunction

• Bowel dysfunction

• Vertigo

• HIV/AIDS

• Chronic Pain

• Neural tube defects like meningomyelocele and hydrocephalus etc.

38) Rehabilitation of persons:

• after Organ Transplantation

• in ICU setting

39) Pediatric Rehabilitation including children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, multiple disabilities etc.

40) Geriatric Rehabilitation

41) Principles of evaluation and rehabilitation management of persons with:

• visual impairment

• mental retardation

• hearing /speech impairment

• psychological problems or mental illness

42) Medical/ surgical Emergencies in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

43) Sexuality and Disability

Section D:

44) Evidence-based Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

45) Legislation in relations to disability- National and International

46) Functional evaluation, Impairment rating, disability evaluation and certification including guidelines for these

47) Schemes and Benefits extended to persons with disabilities by the Govt.

48) Barrier-free Environment and access related issues

49) Computers in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

50) Assistive Technology related to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

51) Recent Advances related to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

52) Ethical aspects in rehabilitation

53) Research methodology

Career Options

After completing an MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor, etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Consultant Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, etc.

Courses After MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Course

MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing a specialization in MD (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), a candidate could also pursue super specialization courses recognized by NMC, MD (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) – MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Course

Question: What is an MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Answer: MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or also known as MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS.

Question: What is the duration of an MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Answer: MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a postgraduate programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of an MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India.

Question: What is the scope of an MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Answer: MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary of an MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation postgraduate candidate?

Answer: The MD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation candidate's average salary is Rs. 5 lakh – Rs. 36 lakh per annum.

Question: Can MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation practice?

Answer: MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a good subject for those wishing to join academia, conduct research, become a clinical pharmacologist, or become a pharmaceutical physician. The role of a pharmaceutical physician includes careers in medical advisor, medical writer, clinical development, and pharmacovigilance.