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