Sports Medicine - Careers in the Field

Sep 1
17:15

2011

Andrea Avery

Andrea Avery

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People who have an interest sports medicine have several career choices. Although you may recognize the team doctor as the person who has an interest ...

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People who have an interest sports medicine have several career choices. Although you may recognize the team doctor as the person who has an interest in this field,Sports Medicine - Careers in the Field Articles nutritionists and trainers may also take courses with a focus on sports medicine. This professional may work with professional athletes, children's school teams, or hobby teams. The doctor may also specialize in treating patients who seek rehabilitation.

People in this field take classes in anatomy, physics, chemistry, and exercise physiology. Surgeons in this field can spend at least 14 years in school, learning all that they will need to know to work with patients. After they become actual surgeons, they still take classes and participate in continuing education opportunities to keep their skills fresh. Those who truly want to have a career in sports medicine usually enroll in colleges that offer undergraduate or graduate degrees in this field.

As part of their course of study, they may participate in an internship program to get valuable on-the-job experience that will be useful in their careers. The internship can help them connect with professionals in the field and help solidify their desire to work in this chosen profession.

Although most people think that those who specialize in sports medicine work only with athletes, some of these doctors decide not work with a majority of athletes. They can move into the field of occupational therapy, helping patients from different walks of life to transition back into their various workplaces. They can use their knowledge to provide tools that are needed to help these patients work again. The doctors who specialize in this field usually opt to work as a team doctor or work in a capacity that will help athletes. It is the doctor's responsibility to know that many of the injuries that are experienced by the players are not acute, but they are still painful, causing the athlete a great deal of apprehension and discomfort. The doctor should have the necessary communication skills necessary to explain the injury in layman's terms and give the athlete specific information on how the injuries will be treated. The athlete should be told what he or she should do to promote healing.

If the doctor feels that the athlete should not participate in competition or should stay off an injured limb, he or she should be able to relay that information in such a way that the athlete understands the consequences of disregarding the recommendations.

The doctors may choose to treat specific types of injuries. The doctor may specialize in knee injuries and injuries to the shoulders and perform specific procedures or use certain rehabilitative methods to help athletes. Surgeons who work with athlete may become well known for their specialized treatments if they have a high success rate.

Many people enjoy watching sports and playing sports. Unfortunately, some players will become injured while playing sports that they love. People in medicine can help them mend, and patiently assist them with rehabilitation so that hopefully, they can continue to play.

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