How to Choose a Sports Medicine Doctor

Continued...

Answers to the following questions will give you some idea of the physician's experience with athletes:

How long has she been treating athletes?

Is she a team physician for any of the local teams?

Has she attended the US Olympic Committee or American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) team physician training course?

Is she a member of ACSM, the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine or any other professional group? Members of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine are screened for their experience and expertise before being admitted.

What percentage of her practice does sports medicine comprise?

Few physicians have full-time sports medicine practices, so don't be surprised if she says 30 to 40 percent. If she says 100 per cent, she may be inflating her credentials to impress you.

Chose a physician whose specialty is in your area of need: An orthopedic surgeon is the right person to treat a shoulder injury, for example, but such a doctor may not be able to evaluate irregular menstrual periods.

On the other hand, a sports-knowledgeable OB-GYN may help you through your pregnancy, but most likely will not know what to do with your shoulder problem.

If you aren't sure what type of specialist to see, start with a sports medicine doctor in one of the primary care areas, such as family practice or internal medicine.

When and where should you look for a sports medicine doctor?

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