DPT with a sports medicine specialization vs. Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician

[busupshot83]

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What is the difference between a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with a sports medicine specialization and a Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician (other than prescription rights)?

 

[PublicHealth]

What is the difference between a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with a sports medicine specialization and a Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician (other than prescription rights)?

Money and autonomy.

 

[delicatefade]

The physician will be better at diagnosing pathology, the PT will be better at diagnosing impairments and functional limitations.

Also, to echo the above poster...money and autonomy...

 

[Freeeedom!]

Seriously a HUGE difference. THe MD/DO has medical school and residency and FELLOWSHIP training. All of which creates medical and orthopedic differentials. A PT has the knowledge of rehab but only cursery understanding of pathology as they are not exposed to the medical pathology as medical students or residents are (not by a long shot). But the PT has fantastic rehab and biomechanical knowledge that serves them well in the clinic in the rehab surroundings.

 

[truthseeker]

Seriously a HUGE difference. THe MD/DO has medical school and residency and FELLOWSHIP training. All of which creates medical and orthopedic differentials. A PT has the knowledge of rehab but only cursery understanding of pathology as they are not exposed to the medical pathology as medical students or residents are (not by a long shot). But the PT has fantastic rehab and biomechanical knowledge that serves them well in the clinic in the rehab surroundings.

I agree that there are huge differences in the training but it is not necessarily heirarchical. PTs and ATCs do a more thorough musculoskeletal exam on an athlete than do most MDs Sports medicine fellows often are the exceptions, but at times, they rely on imaging and other lab diagnostics that can be powerful, but often are less helpful than a thorough clinical exam. I am a PT ATC and I know that there are few orthopods whose diagnoses I trust completely. For example, I often get diagnoses of adhesive capsulitis, when there is no limitation of motion other than because of pain.

 

[Freeeedom!]

Well, one must realize that sports medicine ain't just about bones and joints!
It is precisely that reason that it is called sports MEDICINE. Example, I had a football player with a "finger in the eye" last night, that is not a PT patient. Or another with "shortness of breath", another non PT worry. It is essential that we realize that those on the field or court get injuries that are not orthopedic in nature and require the diverse education of a physician. And as a PT and now a DO, I can tell you with great confidence that a primary care sports medicine doctor is a step above, without a doubt. It is the 'big leagues' comparitively speaking.

 

[truthseeker]

Well, one must realize that sports medicine ain't just about bones and joints!
It is precisely that reason that it is called sports MEDICINE. Example, I had a football player with a "finger in the eye" last night, that is not a PT patient. Or another with "shortness of breath", another non PT worry. It is essential that we realize that those on the field or court get injuries that are not orthopedic in nature and require the diverse education of a physician. And as a PT and now a DO, I can tell you with great confidence that a primary care sports medicine doctor is a step above, without a doubt. It is the 'big leagues' comparitively speaking.

There are lots of things that a sports medicine MD/DO can deal with that a PT or an ATC cannot but there is more overlap than you think. Often an ATC will be the team doctor's hands and eyes when the team is on the road. ATCs are trained to identify potentially dangerous "SOB" and make appropriate referrals. Of course there are non-PT injuries. the difference between sports medicine and non sports medicine injuries are the circumstances in which the injury occurred, it should not be in the way they are treated.

 

[Freeeedom!]

Well, I really don't understand your point...as a team doctor, I love my ATC's, but they realize when I am there, I am the final word. They defer to me for all injuries and when a kid is short of breath they send them directly to me. The fact that I see patients in the ED that are knocking on deaths door gives the ATC that on the field, I can probably handle the chest wall pain.
It is the combination of acute care training and specialization in sports medicine that allows Physicians the knowledge and understanding between sick and not sick. My trainers are fabulous, we work together, they are my eyes and ears.
A good PT unfortunately could not take the place of an ATC let alone a physician. But are fantastic compliments to the entire team.

 

[truthseeker]

Well, I really don't understand your point...as a team doctor, I love my ATC's, but they realize when I am there, I am the final word. They defer to me for all injuries and when a kid is short of breath they send them directly to me. The fact that I see patients in the ED that are knocking on deaths door gives the ATC that on the field, I can probably handle the chest wall pain.
It is the combination of acute care training and specialization in sports medicine that allows Physicians the knowledge and understanding between sick and not sick. My trainers are fabulous, we work together, they are my eyes and ears.
A good PT unfortunately could not take the place of an ATC let alone a physician. But are fantastic compliments to the entire team.

I agree, but I guess I have gotten off the topic of the original thread. ATCs are vastly more qualified than PTs for onsite coverage. Its just that I have experienced several board certified MD/DOs in sports medicine where I would trust my evaluation more than theirs for the assessment of a musculoskeletal injury. I would much rather have you or someone like you on the field but just because you hold the credential you do does not make you big league as you say. Likewise, just because someone has ATC, it does not make them a reliable evaluator. As the saying goes, "what do you call the person who finishes last in their medical school class?" The answer is Doctor.