About the Job of Being a Sport Doctor
A sport doctor is a type of medical professional who specializes in providing health care to athletes. In the United States, there is no special certification process for sport doctors, meaning that physicians in the specialty receive their training in other fields and then choose to treat athletes.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types
-
Some sport doctors are actually orthopedic surgeons, doctors trained to perform operation on muscles, bones and connective tissues. Others are primary care sports doctors who provide other medical care for athletes, but do not perform surgery.
Features
-
Athletes typically see orthopedic surgeon sports doctors only for the treatment of an injury and to monitor the healing process after an operation. Primary care sports medical doctors see patients regularly to perform check-ups, diagnose medical problems and recommend medications, supplements or activities to improve athletic performance and minimize the risk of injury.
-
Education
-
Both types of sports doctors typically begin their careers by earning a bachelor's degree and then completing four years of medical school. Doctors then take one or more written examination to receive a license to practice medicine in the United States.
Residency
-
Once licensed, primary care sports medicine doctors typically complete a three-year family medicine residency program, followed by a one-year fellowship in sports medicine. Orthopedic surgeons complete a one-year general surgery residency, followed by a four-year orthopedics residency and then take a certification test from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Compensation
-
As of 2008, the average salary earned by orthopedic surgeons was $372,400 to $512,500, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Primary care sports medicine doctors received a median salary of $235,045 in April 2009, Salary.com reports.
-
