PG Diploma in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Fee, Eligibility criteria details

Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation also known as Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR) 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 2 years, and it focuses on the study of various concepts related to promoting the healing and rehabilitation of patients who have suffered injury or disability. The main aim is to achieve maximum restoration of physical, social, and psychological function through rehabilitation.

The course is a full-time course pursued in various recognized medical colleges across the country. The medical colleges offering this course include Patna Medical College, Patna, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, and Madras Medical College, Chennai.

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 Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 14,000 to Rs 25,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue higher degree courses like master's degrees and research degree courses recognized by NMC, where Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Junior Consultants, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 4 Lakh to Rs. 5 Lakh per anum.

What is Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation?

Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation also known as Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR) is a two-year postgraduate programme that candidates can pursue after completing MBBS.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of promoting healing and rehabilitation of patients who have suffered injury or disability.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & 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 & Rehabilitation would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. 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 specialist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation possessing a broad range of skills that will enable her/him to practice Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation independently. The PG candidate should also acquire the basic skills in teaching of 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 Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Candidates must be in possession of 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 Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR). Candidates can view the complete admission process for Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation mentioned below:

• The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post Graduates 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 counselling towards PG seat allotment conducted by the concerned counselling authority shall be in lieu of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is around Rs. 14,000 to Rs 25,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing Post Graduate Diploma In Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

A Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is a two years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

The course content for Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

Course Contents:

The course content for DPMR (Diploma in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) is divided into three broad sections, covering three Theory Papers. However, certain degree of overlapping may occur among different sections. The contents 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 Vitamin 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:

• 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

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) Recent Advances related to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

51) Ethical aspects in rehabilitation

Career Options

After completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & 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 & Rehabilitation), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation), Consultant Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialist etc.

Courses After Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Course

Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing a specialization in Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, a candidate could also pursue higher degree courses like a master's degree and research degree courses recognized by NMC, where Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is a feeder qualification.

Candidates possessing postgraduate diploma qualifications can also appear in the DNB PDCET examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations for admission to Post Diploma DNB Broad specialty Courses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – PG Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Course

Question: What is a Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation?

Answer: Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation also known as Diploma in Physical Medicine & 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 a Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR)?

Answer: Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is a postgraduate programme of two years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & 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 a Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation?

Answer: Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation postgraduate candidate?

Answer: The Post Graduate Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation candidate's average salary is Rs. 4 Lakh to Rs. 5 Lakh per anum per anum depending on the experience.

Question: What is the scope of physical medicine and rehabilitation?

Answer: PMR has a vast scope as it provides integrated comprehensive care in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation management.

Question: Is medical rehabilitation a doctor?

Answer: Also known as a physiatrist, a physical medicine rehabilitation doctor is a physician who specializes in physically-based rehabilitation and recovery.