1608 - Discovering PM&R: Determinants and Timing of Medical Student Interest in PM&R: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Thursday, February 19, 2026

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM AST

Presenting Author(s)

BS

Brett Segobiano, BA

Medical Student
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Co-Author(s)

TW

Taylor Webb, BS

Medical Student
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Submitter(s)

BS

Brett Segobiano, BA

University of Illinois College of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Objectives: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) has experienced increasing popularity among medical students in recent years, yet the timeline of when interest develops and the factors that sustain specialty commitment are not well defined. Although prior work has identified mentorship and shadowing as common influences on specialty choice, the temporal trajectory of when students first consider PM&R and the factors sustaining long-term interest remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to characterize the timing of initial exposure, experiences that inspire early interest, and determinants that reinforce students’ ultimate decision to pursue PM&R.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to medical students with an expressed interest in PM&R. Survey domains included: (1) stage of training at which PM&R was first considered, (2) source of initial exposure, (3) subspecialty areas sparking interest, and (4) factors sustaining specialty commitment. Responses were analyzed descriptively.

Results: Twenty students completed the survey. Most respondents (70%) first considered PM&R during the pre-clinical or early clinical years of medical school. Mentorship (47%), shadowing (35%), and student interest group events (41%) were the most frequently reported sources of initial inspiration. Subspecialty areas such as sports medicine (47%) and adaptive sports (41%) commonly served as entry points into the field. Sustained commitment to PM&R was most often attributed to favorable work–life balance (94%), longitudinal patient relationships (63%), and the holistic, function-centered approach of the specialty (63%).

Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that exposure to mentors and structured opportunities during the pre-clinical and early clinical years play a pivotal role in catalyzing student interest in PM&R. Long-term commitment appears reinforced by the specialty’s patient-centered ethos, functional focus, and diverse subspecialty opportunities. These insights highlight the importance of intentional early outreach and mentorship initiatives to strengthen recruitment into PM&R and raise new questions regarding the optimal timing and structure of such interventions.