Is becoming a sports medicine physician right for me?
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How to become a Sports Medicine Physician
Becoming a sports medicine physician typically involves the following steps:
- Obtain a Bachelor's Degree: The first step to becoming a sports medicine physician is to complete a bachelor's degree. You can choose any major as long as you complete the pre-med courses required for admission to medical school. However, degrees such as biology and kinesiology may be particularly useful.
- Take the MCAT: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam that is required for admission to medical school. You will need to take this exam and obtain a competitive score.
- Attend Medical School: After obtaining a bachelor's degree and completing the MCAT, the next step is to attend medical school. Medical school typically takes four years to complete and involves both classroom and clinical education.
- Complete a Residency in Sports Medicine: After completing medical school, you will need to complete a residency in sports medicine. This typically takes three years and involves clinical training in sports medicine. During your residency, you will work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians.
- Consider a Fellowship: After completing your residency, you may also consider completing a fellowship in a specialized area of sports medicine. A fellowship provides additional training and can help you develop expertise in a particular area of sports medicine.
- Become Board Certified: After completing your residency, you can become board certified in sports medicine. This involves passing an exam administered by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
- Obtain a License: In order to practice medicine in the United States, you will need to obtain a medical license from the state in which you plan to practice.
Fellowship
There are several fellowships available for sports medicine physicians. These fellowships typically provide additional training and expertise in the field of sports medicine, which includes the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries related to sports and physical activity.
Some of the common types of sports medicine fellowships include:
- Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship: This type of fellowship is typically one year long and focuses on the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal injuries, exercise physiology, and sports-related medical conditions.
- Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship: This type of fellowship is typically one to two years long and provides additional training in the evaluation and management of orthopedic injuries related to sports and physical activity.
- Pediatric Sports Medicine Fellowship: This type of fellowship is typically one year long and focuses on the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal injuries, exercise physiology, and sports-related medical conditions in children and adolescents.
- Interventional Sports Medicine Fellowship: This type of fellowship is typically one year long and provides additional training in interventional procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and regenerative medicine.
- Research Sports Medicine Fellowship: This type of fellowship is typically one to two years long and focuses on research in the field of sports medicine, including clinical research, epidemiology, and biomechanics.
To apply for a sports medicine fellowship, physicians typically need to have completed a residency in a related field, such as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or orthopedic surgery. Additionally, many fellowships require applicants to be board-certified or eligible in their primary specialty.
Board Certification
Board certification is available for sports medicine physicians through several medical boards, including the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), and the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
To become board certified in sports medicine, physicians typically need to complete an accredited sports medicine fellowship program and pass an exam administered by the appropriate medical board. The exam typically covers topics such as musculoskeletal injuries, exercise physiology, and sports-related medical conditions.
Board certification is not required to practice sports medicine, but it can demonstrate a physician's commitment to the field and their level of expertise. Additionally, some employers, such as academic medical centers and professional sports teams, may require board certification for sports medicine physicians.