Technically speaking, anyone calling themselves a "Doctor of Sports Medicine" should automatically raise an eyebrow. In the United States, there is no such discipline. Having said that, it isn't an instant disqualifier of trust. Many doctors refer to themselves as specialists in sports medicine, and this can be perfectly true. There are several avenues one can take to further his sports medicine experience and education after receiving a doctorate.
Types
Sports medicine doctors, as it were, are classified into two categories. There are non-surgical doctors and then there are orthopedic surgeons. Non-surgical doctors of sports medicine typically have done their residencies in the field of family practice, although it's not uncommon for them to receive their initial training in pediatrics, internal medicine or even rehabilitation medicine. An orthopedic surgeon will have completed her residency in a surgical center.
Fellowship
After completing his initial residency, a physician looking to enter the field of sports medicine will apply for a fellowship program in that field. Most of this fellowship will involve learning about the various forms of sports injuries and best care for them. Some of this will be retread material for those doctors coming out of an orthopedic background. The time for this fellowship program is generally around one or two years.
Continued Education
Because sports medicine is such a varied field, additional training and fellowship will take care of aspects of family practice and whatever the doctor's original specialty happened to be. This is so the physician does not fall out of touch with her original training, which could very well be called upon in her career. The doctor will then have a broader set of options available to her upon completing the training.
Orthopedic Training
For orthopedic specialists, their sports medicine training will be a bit different from the general practice doctor. Though they will be given the same overview of sports injuries, much of this will already be familiar to them from their original education and residency. However, advanced surgical techniques may be taught to them, and they will gather insight as to the differences in treating athletes and the average individual. They may also choose to do a fellowship under a much more narrow field, such as a "knee fellowship," where the greatest bulk of education and training comes in the form of knee injuries and rehabilitation.
Warning
It's important for the layman to know that a doctor claiming to be a "doctor of sports medicine" may deserve additional research. Asking questions is the patient's right and his responsibility, to ensure he gets the best care possible. Asking questions about the doctor's board certification, whether or not he completed a sports medicine fellowship, and if he posses additional certifications in sports medicine are not only appropriate, but essential.
Tags: sports medicine, sports medicine, Asking questions, best care, family practice