Sports Medicine Physician

Your Fit

Income

$299K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

3.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Sports Medicine Physician?

A Sports Medicine Physician is a medical doctor specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. They focus on optimizing physical fitness and managing the health of athletes and physically active individuals.

Sample job titles:

Athletic Team Physician, Physician, Sports Medicine Physician, Team Physician

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Sports Medicine Physician.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

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How much does a Sports Medicine Physician earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Sports Medicine Physician.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$121K per year	NA per year	$299K per year	NA per year	$613K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $234K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Sports Medicine Physician do?

Work environment

Sports Medicine Physicians work in various settings, including hospitals, private clinics, sports organizations, and academic institutions. They often collaborate with physical therapists, athletic trainers, and other medical professionals. Their work might involve attending sports events, providing sideline medical care, and working in team training facilities.

Quick task list

Diagnoses and treats sports-related injuries.
Develops rehabilitation and conditioning programs.
Provides advice on nutrition, supplements, and injury prevention.
Conducts pre-participation physical evaluations.
Collaborates with other healthcare professionals in managing athletes' care.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Orthopedic Sports Medicine: Focusing on surgical treatment of sports injuries.
Non-Operative Sports Medicine: Specializing in non-surgical treatment and injury prevention.
Pediatric Sports Medicine: Treating sports injuries in children and adolescents.
Sports Cardiology: Managing cardiovascular aspects of athletic performance.
Exercise Physiology: Studying the acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise.

Description

Sports Medicine Physicians play a crucial role in the healthcare of athletes and those who engage in physical exercise. They possess specialized knowledge of sports-related injuries and conditions and work to not only treat these issues but also prevent them. Their expertise extends to understanding the impact of exercise on the body and how to optimize physical performance.

In their daily work, these physicians assess and diagnose injuries, create treatment plans, and monitor the rehabilitation process. They often work closely with athletes to develop personalized strategies for injury prevention, performance enhancement, and safe return to play after injury. A significant aspect of their role is to educate athletes, coaches, and teams on health and wellness in sports.

The field requires staying abreast of the latest research in sports medicine, including advancements in treatment techniques and injury prevention strategies. Sports Medicine Physicians must be skilled communicators and collaborators, capable of working with diverse teams and addressing the unique concerns of each athlete.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to the health and performance of athletes.
Working in a dynamic and engaging field.
Opportunities to attend and be involved in sports events.
The satisfaction of helping athletes recover and achieve their goals.

You might make a good Sports Medicine Physician if you are...

Passionate about sports and physical fitness.
Interested in medicine and how it applies to athletic performance.
A strong problem-solver with good decision-making skills.
Able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals.
Committed to lifelong learning and staying current in the field.

Pros:

Working in a dynamic and exciting field.
Opportunities to interact with athletes and sports teams.
High degree of job satisfaction from helping athletes.

Cons:

Lengthy and competitive educational and training pathway.
Potential for high-stress situations, especially when providing sideline care.
Irregular hours, including weekends and evenings, depending on the sporting events.

How to become a Sports Medicine Physician

Typical education

In Canada, becoming a Sports Medicine Physician typically involves completing four years of undergraduate education, followed by four years of medical school leading to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Most physicians then complete a two-year family medicine residency, followed by one additional year of focused training in sport and exercise medicine. Some physicians enter sports medicine through other specialties, such as internal medicine or orthopedics, though this is less common.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Chemistry to build a foundation in the sciences.
Anatomy or Physiology to understand the human body.
Physical Education to gain insights into physical fitness and sports.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participat in sports teams or athletic clubs.
Volunteer in sports camps, fitness centers, or medical facilities.
Shadow a sports medicine professional.

Preparation after high school

Complete an undergraduate degree, often with a strong foundation in the sciences or kinesiology.
Graduate from a medical school with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
Complete a residency in family medicine (typically two years).
Complete additional focused training in sport and exercise medicine, usually one year.
Obtain certification through the College of Family Physicians of Canada and register with the provincial medical regulatory authority to practise.

More resources

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) - Provides resources and certification for sports medicine professionals.
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) - A multidisciplinary organization of sports medicine physicians.
Sports Medicine Today - A resource for current developments in sports medicine.
Journal of Sports Medicine
Publishes research related to sports medicine and exercise science.
National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) - Offers resources for those interested in athletic training and sports healthcare.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.