Careers in Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine: The Circle of Care

• Sports Medicine: the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention and treatment of injuries that occur to athletes and the active population.

• Main Goals– Initial treatment of injuries– Rehabilitation– Returning athlete or active individual to their sports

Disciplines

• Anatomy & physiology• Nutrition• Psychology• Pharmacology• Kinesiology• Exercise physiology

Career Opportunities

• Physicians- primary care, orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, neurologists,

nutritionists . . . • Nurses• Physical therapists• Physical therapy assistants• Athletic trainers• Fitness instructors• X-ray techs• Radiologists

Employment Settings

• Physician offices• Hospitals• Clinical settings– rehab or pt clinics

• Professional sports• Colleges• High Schools• Wellness Centers

Personal Characteristics

• People Skills• Communication Skills• Compassion• Good Listening Skills• Team Player• Desire to Learn

The Sports Medicine Team

• Team Physician• Certified Athletic Trainer• Coaches• Athletes• Parents• School Administration• Facilities– Pt, rehab . . .

Athletic Training Skills• First aid, CPR, other

emergency • Taping, wrapping, and

bracing• Time management• Organizational skills• Education in the treatment

and rehab of acute and chronic injuries

• Common Sense• Interest in sports and

helping others

Responsibilities of ATC

• Prevention and care of athletic injuries– Evaluations, provide immediate care, rehab

• Record keeping– Injury reports, physicals, referrals

• Assist visiting teams• Establish and maintain training room• Order supplies• Supervise student athletic trainers

Student Athletic Trainers

• Assists certified ATC• CAN– Administer first aid– Activate EMS– Tape and bandage– Assist in record keeping– Prepares field for practice or play

• CAN’T– Evaluate– Return athlete to play

Record Keeping

• Helps in prevention of injuries• Protects against legal action– Assumption of risk: acceptance of the

responsibility for the risks involved in a sportProtects against liability (legal responsibility)Does NOT protect against negligence