StemCell Therapy

Education

Students interested in become a physician must first complete a bachelors degree with a pre-med concentration that provides them with a solid foundation in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics. Gaining admission into medical school can be competitive, so students must complete the aforementioned courses and obtain excellent grades to be considered a viable applicant to medical schools.

Beyond this coursework, students will also be required to perform well on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in order to secure a spot in medical school. While those interested in sports medicine are usually sports aficionados themselves (and therefore may take part in organized sports), this is in no way a requirement for admission into medical school or sports medicine.

Most sports medicine doctors complete a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. These programs both involve four years of academic coursework in biology, biochemistry, anatomy, pathology, psychology, physiology, medical ethics and pharmacology. Following the completion of medical school, students are awarded their respective degree (M.D. or D.O). Next, these newly minted physicians must go on to complete a clinical residency, which provides them with several years of hands-on practice in a variety of clinical settings under the supervision of fully trained, attending physicians (see below).

Three-year clinical residencies in internal medicine, family medicine, or emergency medicine (or a four-year residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation) all offer suitable training for an aspiring sports medicine physician. Other, more surgically inclined students may instead opt for a five-year residency in orthopedic surgery. During residency, it may be possible to secure an elective rotation in sports medicine to gain early exposure.

All states require medical doctors to be licensed, so sports medicine doctors must check with their states licensing board for specific requirements.

In addition to a license, doctors may seek certification by a recognized professional organization. This certification will help make the doctor a better job candidate since it will show that he or she has met the organizations professional requirements and is staying up-to-date in developments in this subspecialty through continuing education courses. Certification in sports medicine is offered by the following organizations:

Since sports medicine is a subspecialty, doctors must get a certification of added qualification (CAQ) in sports medicine. To prepare for this, doctors complete a two-year fellowship in sports medicine at a hospital, rehabilitation facility or university athletic department. These two years expose doctors to different types of athletic-related injuries and methods of diagnosing and treating them. Additionally, the fellowship provides experience with orthopedic surgeries, rehabilitative techniques, brain trauma, nutrition, and performance psychology. Orthopedic surgeons can also apply for fellowships in this field, but added qualification certification is not required.

As with all physicians, specialists and non-specialists alike, sports medicine physicians must possess and demonstrate empathy, compassion, strong interpersonal communication abilities, and proficient problem-solving skills in order to provide timely diagnosis and optimal clinical outcomes for their patients. In addition, sports medicine physicians must also possess good physical health, dexterity, and stamina if they intend to perform physical therapy-related treatments.

Sports medicine doctors may opt to base their practice in outpatient clinics, large hospitals, or academic medical institutions. Those in private practice can establish their own practices, or join current groups with the ultimate aim of becoming a partner. Alternatively, a position in larger hospitals will provide the sports doctor with opportunities for advancement, depending on experience and continuing education. For example, after several years of productive performance, staff physicians may take on supervisory or management roles, potentially becoming chairperson of a department.

If you would like to gain the necessary education to become a sports doctor, we highly recommend that you check out our free School Finder Tool located HERE.

Read more:
Sports Medicine Doctor | School, Career and Salary Guide

This entry was posted on August 4, 2016 at 9:40 am and is filed under Sports Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |