Questions for people who went into sports medicine

[PaprikaLeapt]

1. If you have knee problems of your own (mild knee arthritis/soreness), is the work of a sports medicine doctor too physically strenuous?
2. What do you feel were the biggest negatives of going into sports medicine?
3. If you had a DO degree, do you feel that your degree helped you/was looked at favorably or not really?
4. What do you feel are the biggest negatives about taking a 6 month gap break after finishing residency before looking for a job? Ex: will they be like "why weren't you trying to get more hands on experience with sports medicine then?"

5. What do you feel are the biggest things that helped you get into sports medicine and was looked at favorably in your application aside from your test scores?
6. Would you do it again- why or why not?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[wilberforce72]

1. No? Your duties as an SM doc are no more strenuous than any other physician job.
2. The arena of SM is kind of up in the air. The field is growing and with it there are some growing pains. You won't get as much recognition as ortho docs and there aren't many 100% primary care sports medicine jobs. You will likely have to practice in your chosen field and work to build your practice. You will have to sell yourself and your SM knowledge to sometimes create the job you want, which can be seen as a plus or minus.
3. MD. Being in fellowship though, no preference is given to MD or DO candidates.
4. I don't understand this question. Many physicians graduate residency and then go back for fellowship. As long as you can demonstrate that you sought out opportunities and are committed to the field, I don't think there should be any issue.
5. Test scores are mostly just a formality. Maybe at the more competitive programs, but as long as you've passed boards on your first try, it really shouldn't be an issue. Actual important things are sideline coverage, sports med aways/conferences/teaching opportunities as well as showing that you are a competent physician in your base field.
6. As a fellow, yes, I most definitely would do it again. Ask again in 5 years .

 

[PaprikaLeapt]

2. The arena of SM is kind of up in the air. The field is growing and with it there are some growing pains. You won't get as much recognition as ortho docs and there aren't many 100% primary care sports medicine jobs. You will likely have to practice in your chosen field and work to build your practice. You will have to sell yourself and your SM knowledge to sometimes create the job you want, which can be seen as a plus or minus.

a. It sounds like there are not that many jobs in sports medicine and sports medicine doctors typically need to advertise themselves/build up their own practice?

b. Is it common for sports medicine doctors to fail in this endeavor to build their own practice and then go back to what they did their residency on (ex: PM&R or family medicine)? Or is that transition at that point too difficult because hospitals may think you will try to leave the work to do sports medicine again later?

 

[n3xa]

If you had a DO degree, do you feel that your degree helped you/was looked at favorably or not really?

Do you have a DO degree? Why would a DO degree be looked at favorably or not really? Is this a question trying to lead towards OMT?