Getting to Know More about the Role of a Medical Rehabilitation Doctor

Medical rehabilitation doctor (Sp.RM) is a specialist whose role is to help restore bodily functions to patients who are impaired or disabled. With the help of medical rehabilitation doctors, patients are expected to have a better quality of life.

As explained above, medical rehabilitation doctors or specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation (Sp.KFR) play an important role in improving the quality of life of patients with impaired bodily functions or disabilities due to injuries, accidents, or certain diseases.

Medical rehabilitation doctors can determine a treatment plan or program of care and treatment according to the patient's medical history. Through the exercise program and physical care, patients will be assisted to improve their physical abilities and health as well as improve their quality of life.

Conditions Treated by a Medical Rehabilitation Doctor

In practice, medical rehabilitation doctors will collaborate and work together with other health workers, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists (occupational therapist), speech therapists, nurses, general practitioners, and other specialists, such as neurologists, surgeons, sports medicine specialists, and orthopedic doctors.

There are various conditions that can be treated by a medical rehabilitation doctor and a medical rehabilitation team consisting of various health workers, including:

  • Limitation of bodily functions, weakness or paralysis of limbs, or disability, for example due to injury, accident, or certain diseases, such as stroke
  • Recovery after major surgery, such as bone grafting surgery, joint surgery, surgery on nerves and brain, or spine surgery
  • Recovery from severe burns and associated disorders, such as adhesions or contractures
  • Acute or chronic pain, for example from arthritis, back pain, and repetitive injuries
  • Difficulty breathing, for example due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma
  • Difficulty moving or limited movement of muscles and joints due to being overweight or obese
  • Swallowing disorders and speech difficulties, for example from laryngeal cancer, stroke, or injury to the neck or brain
  • Amputation, for example in patients who have severe infections due to diabetic wounds, injuries, or serious accidents

Types of Therapy Performed by Medical Rehabilitation Doctors

There are various kinds of exercise programs, physical treatment techniques, and treatments that can be carried out by medical rehabilitation doctors to restore the patient's health condition. The type of treatment and program provided will be tailored to the needs and conditions of each patient.

In general, here are some types of treatment that can be carried out by a medical rehabilitation doctor:

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy is a special treatment carried out by a medical rehabilitation doctor and occupational therapist to help patients with physical and mental limitations. With occupational therapy, patients will be guided and trained so that they can move and live more independently and productively.

When occupational therapy is carried out, the medical rehabilitation doctor will pay attention to and assess the difficulties faced by the patient in carrying out various activities. From there, medical rehabilitation doctors and occupational therapists will provide appropriate training to make it easier for patients to carry out these activities.

For example, in stroke patients, medical rehabilitation doctors and occupational therapists will train body balance, teach back how to eat, drink, bathe, dress, or walk, and teach how to use assistive devices, such as a wheelchair.

Occupational therapy is not only given to stroke sufferers, but also to people with other diseases, such as arthritis, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, congenital disease, and in patients undergoing amputation.

Physiotherapy

The next therapy that is usually given by a medical rehabilitation doctor is physiotherapy. The goal is to improve the function and strength of joints and muscles. This therapy will generally be carried out by a medical rehabilitation doctor with the help of physiotherapists.

By undergoing physiotherapy, the limitations of motion experienced by patients can be overcome, so that their ability to stand, balance, walk, and climb stairs will be better than before.

Physiotherapy is recommended for patients with injuries, physical impairments, and limited movement, such as stroke patients, pinched nerves or HNP, recent bone or nerve surgery, and amputations.

Talk therapy

The exercises given serve to strengthen the muscles in the face and throat. Through speech therapy, doctors and speech therapists can help patients with speech disorders, difficulty in putting words together, and swallowing disorders to speak and eat and drink more smoothly.

This therapy can be performed on patients with certain conditions, such as stuttering, stroke, apraxia, dysarthria, damage to the nerves of the throat and vocal cords, dysphagia, dementia, or certain mental disorders, such as ADHD and autism.

Talk therapy can also be done in children who experience delays in speaking (speech delay).

When to See a Medical Rehab Doctor?

You are advised to visit a medical rehabilitation doctor if:

  • Suffering from an illness or injury that causes physical impairment, such as paralysis or loss of normal function in certain body parts
  • Suffering from a physical disability that causes the range of motion to carry out normal activities to be limited or hampered
  • Have had major surgery that requires training or adjustments to perform certain activities

Before consulting with a medical rehabilitation doctor, you must first prepare a referral letter from another doctor. The goal is to make it easier for medical rehabilitation doctors to determine the appropriate therapy for your complaints.

The referral letter usually includes a detailed medical history and advice on required therapy.