What to Major in to Be a Sports Medicine Physician?

Considering a career in sports medicine? Find out what you need to major in to become a sports medicine physician.

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Introduction

Sports medicine physicians are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses related to sports and exercise. They work with athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to professional athletes.

Most sports medicine physicians complete a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by a four-year medical degree. After completing medical school, they complete a three- or four-year residency program in either family medicine or orthopedics. Many sports medicine physicians also complete a fellowship in sports medicine.

The Prerequisites for Becoming a Sports Medicine Physician

A career in Sports Medicine can be very rewarding. As a Sports Medicine physician, you will help athletes of all levels prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries. You will also work with coaches to help manage their athletes’ health. If you are thinking about becoming a Sports Medicine physician, there are a few things you need to do.

A bachelor’s degree

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for becoming a sports medicine physician. However, many sports medicine physicians go on to earn a master’s degree or doctorate in sports medicine or a related field.

A medical degree

In order to become a sports medicine physician, you will first need to obtain a medical degree. A medical degree can be earned by completing a 4-year undergraduate pre-medicine program followed by 4 years of medical school. Alternatively, you could choose to complete a 3-year accelerated medical program or a 6-year combined undergraduate/medical program. Once you have earned your medical degree, you will then need to complete a residency in sports medicine.

Completion of a residency and/or fellowship

In order to become a sports medicine physician, you must first complete a residency and/or fellowship in sports medicine. This will provide you with the necessary training to effectively diagnose and treat injuries related to physical activity. After completing your residency and/or fellowship, you will be eligible to take the board examination for sports medicine physicians.

The Courses You Will Take as a Sports Medicine Physician

You will need to take a variety of courses as a sports medicine physician. These courses will include medical courses, such as anatomy and physiology, as well as courses in sports medicine. You will also need to take courses in business and law, as well as in other areas, in order to be able to work as a sports medicine physician.

Basic sciences

You will need to complete basic science courses, such as biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, before you can apply to a medical school. These courses will provide you with the fundamental knowledge necessary to understand how the human body works and how diseases develop. You should also consider taking courses in biomechanics and exercise physiology, as they will give you a better understanding of how the body responds to physical activity and injury.

Clinical sciences

You will complete four years of medical school, which will include courses in clinical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychiatry, and medical ethics. You will also have rotations in various medical specialties such as family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics/gynecology. During your fourth year of medical school, you will complete a sports medicine rotation.

Research

As a sports medicine physician, you will be expected to conduct research in order to contribute to the body of knowledge in the field. You will likely collaborate with other physicians, physical therapists, and other health care professionals in order to design and carry out research studies. You may also be responsible for writing grant proposals in order to secure funding for your research projects.

The Skills You Will Need as a Sports Medicine Physician

Becoming a sports medicine physician requires a lot of training and dedication. You will need to have a firm understanding of human anatomy and physiology. You will also need to be proficient in medical Terminology, know how to use medical equipment, and be able to prescribe medications. You will also need to have excellent communication skills.

Communication

As a sports medicine physician, you will need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, their families, and other members of the healthcare team. You will need to be able to explain complicated medical concepts in layman’s terms and provide support and reassurance to patients and their loved ones.

It is also important that you be able to effectively communicate with other members of the healthcare team, including physical therapists, athletic trainers, and other physicians. You will need to be able to develop relationships of trust and mutual respect in order to ensure that all members of the team are working together towards the best possible outcome for the patient.

Interpersonal skills are extremely important in sports medicine because you will be working closely with a diverse group of people, including athletes of all levels of ability, from amateur weekend warriors to professional athletes. You must be able to relate to people from all walks of life and mustache them feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics such as injuries, pain, and rehabilitation.

Critical thinking

If you want to become a sports medicine physician, you will need to hone your critical thinking skills. This means that you will need to be able to analyze data, identify patterns, and make sound decisions based on your findings. You will also need to be able to effectively communicate your findings to others.

In addition to critical thinking, you will also need to have a strong understanding of the human body. You should have a firm grasp on human anatomy and physiology, as well as biomechanics. A solid understanding of these concepts will allow you to effectively diagnose and treat injuries.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in sports medicine, you should consider majoring in a field such as exercise science or kinesiology. These majors will give you the necessary scientific foundation that you will need to succeed in this field.

Interpersonal skills

One of the most important skills for a sports medicine physician is the ability to communicate with patients, their families, and other members of the healthcare team. They must be able to explain medical conditions and treatment options in a way that patients and their families can understand. They also need to be able to listen to patients and families and understand their concerns. Sports medicine physicians must be able to build trust and rapport with their patients.

The Salary and Job Outlook for Sports Medicine Physicians

With a median salary of $204,950 and a job outlook that is much faster than average at 18% growth from 2018-2028, a career in sports medicine as a physician is a great option for those interested in working in the medical field.

Salary

In May 2018, the median annual salary for sports medicine physicians was $204,950, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10 percent of earners in this occupation earned more than $287,430 while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $102,470.

Job outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for sports medicine physicians is quite good. The projected growth rate for this occupation is about 21 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This means that there will be a need for approximately 4,800 new sports medicine physicians by 2026. The median salary for this occupation is $204,950 per year.