physiatrist

1 8.7

A doctor who helps people recover movement and function after injury or illness

noun
/fɪˈzaɪətrɪst/

Specialized

: fisiatra

I just had a cervical MRI yesterday, and my second appointment with the physiatrist is this Friday to get the results and discuss a diagnosis, of which he already has an idea.

Examples

He visited the physiatrist for advice on exercises to improve his strength and endurance following an accident.
Meanwhile, his oncologist wanted him to see a physiatrist (rehab doctor).

Blog text (20)
Patients underwent a complete shoulder-girdle evaluation by a physiatrist (T.G.) who specializes in the rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients.

Academic text (2006)
The physiatrist developed a rehabilitation plan to help the patient regain mobility after surgery.
After her injury, she consulted a physiatrist who specialized in physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Surface Forms

physiatrics singular

physiatrics plural

Morphology

physiatrist = physiatry (semi-transparent) = physiatry + ist

Built from the technical noun 'physiatry' plus the agentive suffix '-ist'; specialised combining forms make the relation only partly obvious to typical learners.

Etymology

The word physiatrist comes from the parts physio- meaning 'body' or 'physical' and -iatrist meaning 'doctor' or 'healer', the same ending you see in psychiatrist. So a physiatrist is a doctor who treats the body's physical problems and helps people regain movement and strength.