Sports physicians are concerned with promoting health in athletes, whether professional or amateur. In the professional field, a sports physician works alongside a multi-disciplinary team that includes sports psychologists, nurses, nutritionists and physical therapists, according to Degree Directory . They doctors may be practitioners in family practices or orthopedic surgeons, depending on their specialty. Sports physicians work long, hard hours, but the job can be hugely rewarding, both financially and mentally.
Prevents
In the professional field, a sports physician's first consideration is to help athletes to prevent injury. He examines athletes before they perform, to determine whether they have any predisposition to injury and to establish their fitness level. A sports physician collaborates with other sports medicine organizations, and keeps up-to-date with recent studies, to offer evidence-based practice at all times.
Diagnoses
When an athlete injures herself, the sports physician is first in line to order diagnostic procedures where necessary and diagnose the problem. If the athlete is too injured to return to sport, it is the physician's role to prevent her from continuing, and to liaise with trainers and other team members.
Treats
The sports physician also plays an integral role in treating injuries when they occur. This may involve running clinics on specific injuries, or giving advice in the arena on what physiotherapeutic techniques are recommended. It is at this time that the sports physician works closely with physiotherapists and nurses.
Commitment
A sports physician must be completely committed to his job, as it may involve long hours in different settings, including hospitals, clinics and sports arenas. A sports physician may specialize in a sports-specific subject; for example, he may focus on swimming or running, or he make take a more general approach.
Orthopedic Surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons are often classed as being sports physicians, as they treat musculoskeletal conditions related to sports injuries. It takes even more time and commitment to become a surgeon. After qualifying as a doctor, you should do a surgical sports medicine fellowship to further your experience, which will take between one and two years. This fellowship may be generalized, or may be more specific. For example, you can choose to follow a shoulder or knee fellowship.
Salary
As of June 2009, a sports physician in the United States can expect to earn an annual salary of between $117,587 and $369,955, according to DegreeDirectory.org. The average wage, though, lies between $171,470 and $305,910. Orthopedic surgeons usually earn more, with the middle 50 percent earning between $308,139 and $494,162.
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