How to become a sports medicine physician – from medical school to fellowship

If you are wanting to pursue a career in medicine but also love sports and working with athletes, you should consider a career in sports medicine. It is a fulfilling job that entails working with diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system in a variety of locations including hospitals, clinics, and on site with sports athletes. Many individuals are not aware that a career in sports medicine exists, nor what the job entails. By the end of this article, you will better understand the functions of a sports medicine doctor, the locations in which sports medicine physicians practice, the education required, the career income range, and the employment prospects of sports medicine doctors.

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What is a sports medicine physician?

Sports medicine physicians treat injuries of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. A career in sports medicine includes providing care for athletes and also providing healthcare for non-athletes who have injuries brought on by active lives or participation in sports. In order to become a sports medicine physician one must obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Following a medical degree, physicians must complete a residency program in one of several areas. Lastly, they will complete at least a year long fellowship studying sports medicine and begin their career.

Sports medicine doctors can work in various places including colleges, clinics, hospitals, and private practices. They can serve as a medical team leader for a sports medicine group or sports team that might also include coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and specialized orthopedic surgeons. Sports medicine docs will make treatment recommendations, diagnose ailments, and refer patients to other experts, such as orthopedic surgeons. Sports medicine specialists may treat amateur, professional, and student-athletes.

What do sports medicine physicians do?

Sports medicine doctors provide non-surgical treatments for sports-related illnesses and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Many sports medicine doctors collaborate closely with an orthopedic surgeon if surgery is required. Athletes, parents, and coaches of sports can also receive guidance from sport medicine doctors to ensure optimal workout routines and injury healing. Examples of some duties that a sports medicine doc may perform include:

Administer medical attention at athletic activities such as games, training, practice, etc.
Identify and treat sports-related diseases or injuries in athletes or other active individuals
Educate athletes and non-athletes on ways to maintain good health, avoid injuries, exercise, work out, and build strength without risk of injury
Define the circumstances in which athletes should resume playing after an injury
Providing dietary advice to clients
Communicate with coaches and trainers about an athlete’s medical condition and monitor the athlete’s recovery

Sports medicine education and training requirements - How to become a sports medicine physician?

The career path for a sports medicine physician is long, requiring at least 12 years of education following completion of high school. The steps and requirements to a career in sports medicine include:

Earn a bachelor’s degree: The first stage of becoming a sports medicine doctor is to complete a four-year undergraduate college degree program. Although medical schools do not have degree requirements for certain majors, most students major in chemistry, biology, or pre-medicine. Students commonly also choose to take in-depth courses in chemistry, biology, math, literature and other subjects as part of a pre-medical education. During this time, pre-medical students also prepare and study to take the MCAT (Medical College Achievement Test).
Enroll and complete medical school: The next step for aspiring sports medicine doctors is attending and completing medical school. Graduating from medical school awards either a doctorate in medicine, such as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O. ) degree. In medical school, students take classes on the anatomy and physiology of the human body, working in patient care, pharmacology, and medical ethics during the first two years. The last two years are spent in clinical rotations in hospital settings, where students gain experience working in patient care and perfecting communication, as well as medical record keeping, and teamwork with other doctors. Following these four years, one will graduate with their medicine degree and begin their career as a medical doctor.
Obtain a medical license: Following graduation from medical school, aspiring sports medicine physicians will apply for a temporary medical license. States often mandate that doctors have a medical license to practice lawfully. Upon graduation from residency and fellowship, physicians will apply for a full medical license to practice sports medicine
Complete a Residency: Newly graduated doctors must complete additional hands on training following medical school, termed a residency. This requirement lasts for three to four years on average. There are a number of different residencies that an aspiring sports medicine physician can complete. These include family medicine, emergency medicine, physical rehabilitation (PM&R), pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, and internal medicine. Completing one of these residencies will provide physicians with a solid foundation in medicine prior to learning sports medicine.
Enroll in a Fellowship: Physicians interested in working in sports medicine will finish a one- to two-year fellowship in sports medicine after graduating from their residencies. During the sports medicine fellowship, they learn more about sports injuries while working as team doctors for groups such as a high school or college sports team. They will learn to treat sprains, strains, broken bones, and more. These one to two years will provide all the training required to become a fully trained sports medicine physician.
Complete medical certification and licensure: In order to become a fully qualified sports medicine physician there are many examination requirements. This includes the USMLE or COMLEX three step exams which are completed during medical school and residency. Towards the end of residency and fellowship, physicians will also take their board examinations in their specialty. Following completion and passing of all of these exams, physicians will be fully certified and licensed in sports medicine.

How long does it take to become a sports medicine physician?

It takes at least 12 years to become a physician and start a career in sports medicine. This includes:

Four years of undergraduate school
Four years of medical school
Three to five years of residency depending on the medical specialty
One to two years of fellowship in sports medicine

Where do sports medicine physicians work?

Doctors of sports medicine practice in a range of settings, such as:

Clinics
Hospitals
Professional sports teams
Colleges and universities
Government agencies
Military bases
Athletic training facilities

Does a sports medicine doctor do surgery?

The majority of doctors who practice sports medicine do not perform surgery. However, there may be some sports medicine physicians who can perform surgery during their career. The ability to operate depends upon the residency that each sports medicine physician graduated from. One residency that a physician can complete which teaches them to operate is orthopedic surgery. Following completion of residency, orthopedic surgeons can attend a Sports Medicine fellowship lasting one year.

During their career, orthopedic surgeons can carry out a range of operations, including tendon repair, ligament reconstruction, and arthroscopic surgery. Outside of orthopedic trained sports medicine doctors, other sports medicine physicians (such as family medicine or internal medicine trained doctors) refrain from performing surgery and will focus on non-surgical treatments, including physical therapy, injections, and bracing during their career. According to estimates, 90% of all sports-related injuries don’t require surgery.

Sports Medicine Physician salary - How much do sports medicine doctors make?

Like all physicians, sports medicine doctors make a good salary due to the extensive training and education they undergo. The salary for sports medicine physicians varies based upon the type of residency completed, i.e. family medicine, pediatrics, PM&R, orthopedics etc. The median salary for a sports medicine physician according to Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is $300,125. However, it is important to note that the salary may vary depending on which type of residency is completed.

The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) reports salaries for physicians that work in an academic setting, associated with a research hospital. According to AAMC, the median salary for an assistant professor in sports medicine who completed a family medicine residency is $229,814 and $331,999 for a full professor. In contrast to this, AAMC reports the the median salary for an assistant professor in sports medicine who completed an orthopedic surgery residency is $556,254 and $700,047 for a full professor.

Is a medical career in sports medicine worth it?

A career in sports medicine can be very rewarding. It provides a physician with the opportunity to work with athletes of all ages and the ability and help them achieve their goals and victories. A sports medicine physician will also be able to make a real difference in people’s lives by helping them recover from injuries and improve their athletic performance. Of course, there are also challenges to a career in sports medicine. The hours can be long, and the work can be demanding especially in competitive sports. But if you are passionate about sports medicine and caring for athletes, then a career in sports medicine can be a great fit for you.

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What is the best bachelor's degree major for a medical career as a sports medicine physician?

Although there isn’t a single “best” bachelor’s degree major for a sports medicine doctor, some of the most popular choices for those interested in sports medicine include:

Chemistry
Biology
Physiology
Athletic training
Kinesiology

Getting started in Medicine

Now that you know more about becoming a sports medicine doctor, you may want to take the first step and start your application to an Allopathic medical school like the University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Start your application here! For more information or to find out the answers to frequently asked questions, check out our medical school overview page.

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