Am I at a disadvantage if I'm not an athlete myself?

[angryfruitbat]

I know that a lot of SM docs are former athletes. I am not, but I am still really interested in PCSM. Would this put me at a disadvantage for matching to a fellowship program or getting a job afterward?

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[TheGreatestTrochanter]

Being familiar with different sports is important, and part of the practice. Helpful if you have certain sports you are more interested in and perhaps participate in as I feel it gives you a little more credibility. Not essential, and probably has little if any impact on matching.

 

[runfastnow]

Not essential - especially for fellowship matching IMO.

If you haven't been an athlete or participated in organized sports you need to understand the athlete and coach mindset/culture, urgency of work up for in season vs out of season (i.e. every practice, game, etc. counts and can't wait days or weeks to see you or specialists), jargon of sports, etc. will be important if you want to work with a team (especially high level team).

 

[door_to_balloon_knot]

Not essential for matching but I can guarantee that you will not have a deeper level understanding of the nuances involved for the sports related to the athlete/ patient. How you gonna advise someone on their knee pain from basic barbell squatting when you have no idea yourself? What about shoulder pain from overhead lifting/ pressing? The thing that would seem to make one a more exceptional sports med doc should be able to guide on load management and alternatives confidently rather than “Just don’t do it”. My 2c anyways

 

[TableMD]

Pick some random ones and get started. You should be exercising and doing this anyways since it’s good for all of us.

You may find that there is something out there that is fun.

 

[prefontaine]

I know that a lot of SM docs are former athletes. I am not, but I am still really interested in PCSM. Would this put me at a disadvantage for matching to a fellowship program or getting a job afterward?

Not in my opinion.

 

[n3xa]

I found most, if not all, of the former athlete stories pretty unremarkable. So you're not at a disadvantage for matching.

That said, competing in powerlifting comes in handy at times. An athlete complained of knee pain while squatting so I made him squat for me and after widening his stance all was well.