PM&R
Pronunciation: pee-em-and-ar
Also written as: PM&R — Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; the medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions that affect function and quality of life.
Full Definition
PM&R is the standard abbreviation for the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as physiatry. The ampersand (&) is an intrinsic part of the abbreviation and must be retained; 'PMR' without the ampersand is incorrect and may cause confusion with other specialties. PM&R encompasses a wide scope including musculoskeletal medicine, neurological rehabilitation, pain management, and sports medicine. In editorial contexts, the full form 'physical medicine and rehabilitation' should appear on first use in most documents, with PM&R used thereafter. The specialty's professional organization is the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R).
Usage
Usage note: The ampersand is non-negotiable in this abbreviation. 'PMR' alone risks confusion with polymyalgia rheumatica. Expand on first use in all documents.
In Context
- "The patient was referred to the PM&R clinic for comprehensive evaluation of post-stroke motor deficits." — Hospital discharge summary
- "The editor flagged 'PMR' as incorrect, noting that the specialty abbreviation requires the ampersand: PM&R." — Medical journal copyedit