How to Become Sports Medicine Physician in 10 Steps?
If you are equally interested in sports and medicine, then a career as a sports medicine physician is ideal for you.
It offers you the opportunity to mix the two in a way that is extremely helpful to others to lead an active, healthy life.
However, before you make this decision, there are several things you need to know. In this article, we have listed the major aspects and important facts about becoming a sports medicine physician.
What Does a Sports Medicine Physician Do?
Sports medicine physicians can work for college sports teams or professional athletic teams. Most sports medicine doctors get to enjoy the game from the sidelines and even travel to different venues with the team.
There aren’t many careers that can boast of such varied perks. This is one of the most appealing parts for aspiring sports medicine physicians today.
How to Become Sports Medicine Physician
Sports medicine physicians are medically trained professionals who work to prevent, diagnose and treat injuries occurring from sports activities.
Sports medicine doctors need to study the musculoskeletal system of the body, which includes the bones, muscles and joints. In addition, they are also trained to work in conventional hospital settings.
A career as a sports medicine physician tends to be deeply gratifying as it involves helping others remain active and healthy.
Where can a Sports Medicine Physician work?
Sports are considerably newer and the sports industry is constantly evolving. As with other forms of physician professions, sports medicine physicians can work in different types of healthcare settings.
They can work in hospitals or can find employment at outpatient clinics. Apart from this, sports medicine doctors can also work with athletic teams, at fitness centers, big-sized gyms and popular athletic events, such as marathons.
How much is the average salary of a Sports Medicine Physician?
According to reports from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for sports medicine physicians is around US$ 197,700.
In addition, the top ten percent of sports medicine physicians earn over US$ 329,300 per year.
What is the career outlook for Sports Medicine Physicians?
According to statistics from BLS, sports medicine, physicians can expect a 14% growth in vacancies by 2024. This is a faster-than-average growth and offers a motivating outlook for aspiring sports medicine physicians.
As the sports industry grows by billions of dollars every year, the demand for certified and experienced sports medicine physicians is going to increase significantly.
How to Become a Sports Medicine Physician?
Here are the simple steps to become a sports medicine physician in the US:
1 – Earn a bachelor’s degree
The first step to becoming a sports medicine physician is to acquire a bachelor’s degree, with pre-med requisites. This should help you build a strong foundation regarding general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology and physics.
Admissions into medical schools are competitive. Hence, you will need to complete the above-mentioned course and get excellent grades to be eligible for admission into a medical school.
2 – Pass MCAT in junior year
After acquiring the bachelor’s degree, you will need to score excellent on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
This is the best way to secure a seat at a reputed medical school. If you are a passionate athlete or sportsperson then this works to your advantage in later years.
3 – Admission into medical school and earning a doctorate
Most students apply to medical schools right after their senior year as undergraduates. However, you can also choose to take a year or two off between college and medical school.
Aspiring sports medicine physicians need to complete either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or acquire a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Both these programs include four years of studying biochemistry, biology, pathology, anatomy, physiology, psychology, pharmacology and medical ethics.
4 – Prepare for the first two parts of USMLE
While in medical school, you can choose to take part one and two of the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Part one of the USMLE is administered before your third year of medical school. Part two of USMLE usually takes place in the last two years of medical school.
5 – Apply for residency
Once you have completed the fourth (final) year of medical school, you can apply for residency in sports medicine at a hospital or clinic.
6 – Complete clinical residency
Once you acquire your medical degree (MD or DO) you will need to complete the residency program.
This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various medical settings and under the supervision of expert, certified sports medicine physicians.
You can choose either 3-year residencies in emergency medicine, family medicine or internal medicine. Or, you can choose to attend the 4-year residencies in rehabilitation and physical medicine.
Both types of residencies provide suitable training to aspiring sports medicine physicians.
If you are surgically inclined, then you may need to complete a 5-year residency in orthopedic surgery.
During the residency period, you can even secure a clinical rotation in sports medicine to gain relevant experience in the field.
7 – Pass final part of USMLE
The third and final part of the USMLE is held at the end of the residency period. You will need to pass this exam to practice sports medicine in the US.
8 – Complete fellowship to get certified
Next, you will need to get a certification of added qualification (CAQ) in sports medicine. You can prepare for this by completing a 2-year fellowship in sports medicine.
You can choose to pursue the fellowship program at a rehabilitation facility, hospital or a university-based athletic department.
9 – Get a state license
Every state in the US requires medical doctors to get licenses. Hence, sports medicine physicians must consult with their state’s licensing board to know the specific criteria and requirements.
10 – Pursue advanced career opportunities
Once you have successfully acquired state licensure, you can choose to practice sports medicine by establishing your private practice. You can also choose to join groups to become a partner.
On the other hand, you can also apply for employment at large hospitals. This is an incredibly effective way to advance your career.
Conclusion
The global sports industry is enormous and constantly growing. With an ever-increasing passion for sports, there is a significant demand for certified and trained sports medicine physicians in the US and around the world.
So, if you are passionate about sports and helping people lead healthy, active lives then you can choose to become a certified sports medicine physician.
Reference links:-
https://acem.org.au/Content-Sources/
https://casem-acmse.org/education/
https://www.sportsmedtoday.com/
https://www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/
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I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
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