Experience of family practice residents as athletic team physicians

Providing exposure for family practice residence to all aspects of community medicine is a common goal of training programs. The Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center Family Practice Program has initiated an innovative project which involves residents serving as team physicians for local college athletic teams. This provides a valuable opportunity for residents to learn skills they can be expected to need in their future practice. The team physician's role offers educational potential for family practice residents through experience with acute orthopedic problems as well as the preventive and psychological aspects of sports medicine. This role also serves as an example of physician responsibility for health-related activities in the acommunity.