How to Become a Sports Medicine Physician
There are many specializations for those wanting to become physicians. Sports medicine deals strictly with those that have had injuries due to sports. You work with a wide variety of athletes from professionals to amateurs. You help set up a rehabilitation schedule and therapy to help the injury heal faster. In addition, you help to educate patients on preventing injuries.
- Check out the American
College of Sports Medicine for information on the field, members,
schools, and many other resources. - Decide on the college or
university that you want to obtain your undergraduate degree. You
need to maintain a high GPA during your undergraduate work, as this
will directly impact your acceptance into medical school. The
subjects you need to study are physics, biology, and chemistry. - Choose the medical school that you
wish to attend. Make sure the school is affordable and has a good
reputation. You will then need to take your entrance exams and have
your undergraduate transcripts sent directly to the school. In
addition, you will need letters of references as well as a personal
essay or statement as to why you wish to enter medical school,
specifically sports medicine. - After you have completed your
coursework, you will then enter into your sports medicine residency.
This gives you hands on experience working with a variety of other
physicians at a research and training hospital. - You must pass examinations at the
end of your residency via the American Osteopathic Association or
the American Board of Medical Specialists. After passing your exams,
you then apply for a fellowship in sports medicine.