Austin Ludwig, MS-IV

How did you hear of/learn about PM&R?

Initially I heard from a friend at UT Health San Antonio. We have similar interests, and he ended up applying to orthopedics, but he told me I should look into PM&R because he thought I would like it.

What are you most looking forward to during your PM&R elective?

I have very minimal exposure to PM&R (one half-day shadowing), and PM&R is not a specialty you hear much about in medical school or at all (most people outside of medicine don’t know what I’m talking about when I say PM&R), so I’m excited to learn more about this mysterious specialty! And to discover what a day in the life of a PM&R physician is like and what the specialty entails.

Is there anything, in particular, that interests you the most about PM&R?

Joint injections and ultrasound-guided procedures, biomechanical assessments; rehab protocols for common injuries (ACL tears, rotator cuff, tendinopathies); focus on function, quality of life, and independence, not just disease management; Use of interprofessional teams (PT/OT, SLP, psych); Involvement in goals-of-care conversations around realistic recovery outcomes; working with highly motivated patient population; emphasizing movement, strength, and functional wellness.