While there are many medical specialties available, one of the most sought-after is sports medicine. This type of physician specializes in non-surgical medical treatments for athletes. Aside from their role as team physicians for professional and youth sports teams, they also perform a variety of preventative and treatment measures to improve the health and fitness of their patients. Typically, these doctors are board-certified in internal medicine and have completed a fellowship in either osteopathic medicine or athletic training. In addition to their education, they also have passed a national certification exam for this particular specialty.

There are several different types of sports medicine physicians, including general practitioners and orthopedic surgeons. Many of these doctors are part of an orthopedic practice, which makes it easy for them to know who to refer patients to. If an injury requires surgery, sports medicine physicians are often the best candidates for these surgeries because they understand what tests must be performed before a patient can make the decision to undergo surgery. They are also skilled in coordinating imaging before a surgery and preparing the patient for recovery.

In order to become a sports medicine physician, a person must earn a doctorate in an appropriate field. The path to becoming a sports medicine physician is different for each person, but the process is similar. To become a sports medicine physician, a student must earn an MD or DO from an accredited university. Then, they must complete a residency in an orthopedic specialty, such as family medicine, internal/family medicine, pediatrics, physical therapy, or emergency medicine. Upon completion of their residency, a student must apply for a fellowship in sports management and can choose to pursue further education in this field. Obtaining a medical license is also essential, and board certification is an optional step, but indicates more expertise.