A physiatrist, or physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) doctor, is a physician who specializes in treating patients of all ages with physical ailments. As a physiatrist, your responsibilities and duties include overseeing the medical care of patients facing physical injury or disease that causes physical limitations. You may treat brain injuries as well as musculoskeletal ailments, including those impacting neural function. You diagnose injuries, impairments, and illness and provide treatment that leads to rehabilitation and reducing pain, whenever possible.