Sports medicine in physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs

Because sports medicine is a rapidly expanding field within many specialties, it is important to gauge how active physiatrists have become in this arena. A nationwide survey of program directors and chief residents of physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs was conducted to determine such prevalence. For the purposes of this study, sports medicine was defined as the routine care of athletes involved in organized sporting activities at any level of competition. Questionnaires were mailed to program directors and chief residents with response rates of 79.7% each. Overall, correlation of the answers between groups was high. The level of interest of residents was rated at 46%. Data was also obtained regarding research, clinical rotations, lectures, fellowships, association with academic departments of other specialties, and affiliations with professional sports medicine organizations. The actual level of educational opportunities available was much lower than might be expected given the high level of interest expressed. It is reasonable to conclude that more opportunities should exist for education in sports medicine.