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Curriculum Overview

The UCSD​ Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship is a one year program. New fellows begin their year the last week of July.

Rotations

There are four required rotations:

  • Adult orthopedics – 2 months
  • Pediatric orthopedics – 1 month
  • Musculoskeletal radiology – 1 month

Fellows can choose from a number of electives. They are also welcome to develop their own, sports related, elective. The combin​ed fellow follows the same rotation requirements as the traditional fellow tracts. The same electives are also available to the combined fellow tract.

Sample elective rotations

  • Concussion Clinic
  • Ski trauma; most fellows complete their ski trauma elective with the Tahoe Truckee Medical Group in Lake Tahoe, California. They spend their time divided between the clinics at the base of the Squaw Valley and Northstar Ski Resorts. Other locations have included Copper Mountain or Crested Butte, CO and Mammoth Mountain, CA.
  • Podiatry
  • Human Performance/VO2 Max testing/Biomechanics/Kinesiology
  • Hand Orthopedics
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Navy/Marine/SEAL team Sports Medicine Clinics
  • Sports Psychology
  • Sports Ophthalmology
  • Rheumatology
  • Physical Therapy
  • Olympic Training Center-Chula Vista
  • Cardiology / Stress Testing
  • Physical Therapy

Longitudinal curriculum

  • Sports Medicine Clinic at La Jolla Family and Sports Medicine; two half days per week 
  • La Jolla Family Medicine primary care clinic: 2 half days per week 
  • UCSD Student Health Services: sports medicine consult one ½ day per week 
  • UCSD training room doctor’s clinic: one evening per week 
  • Rady’s 360 Sports Medicine – Pediatric Sports Medicine Clinic one ½ day per week
  • Didactics: Every Tuesday afternoon. Held in conjunction with Navy Sports Medicine and San Diego Sports Medicine Fellowship. 
  • Research component: Each fellow is expected to complete a scholarly project by the end of their fellowship with the goal of presentation at a national conference or publication in a peer reviewed journal. Examples include clinical trials, observations studies, case reports and chapters in sports medicine textbooks
  • Scholarly Activity Requirement:We require that all fellows contribute to the field by completing a scholarly activity during their year of fellowship. Scholarly activity can range from starting or continuing research projects, poster, podium or case presentations at the annual AMSSM or ACSM meeting, or other projects subject to the director's approval. Attendance to at least one of the annual meetings (AMSSM or ACSM) is expected

Ultrasound Training

We have developed and implemented a formal longitudinal musculoskeletal ultrasound training curriculum that follows the guidelines set forth by the AMSSM Sports Ultrasound Task Force. This involves hands on didactics and scanning time for a minimum of 20 hours, which includes diagnostic and interventional ultrasound techniques. On average previous fellows have been able to complete at least 50 diagnostic scans and 50 needle guidance procedures by the end of their training.

Team and event coverage

  • UCSD  
  • San Diego Sockers Professional Indoor Soccer Team
  • High School Football (Kearny Senior HS, Cathedral Catholic HS, Hoover HS, Scripps Ranch HS, Mira Mesa HS, Castle Park HS)
  • San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon 
  • California State Games
  • State Games of America
  • US Soccer
  • International Surfing Association World Surfing Games
  • Tri-Rock International Triathlon series
  • San Diego Symphony
  • Malachak Dance Company
  • Many opportunities for event coverage occur in San Diego nearly every weekend!

The Combined Fellow completes their continuity clinics at San Diego Family and Sports Medicine offices; two half days a week. Their sports medicine clinics will be at both UCSD and SDSM. T​raining room clinics will be held at San Diego State University. Weekly didactics attendance is mandatory.

Scope

The practice of sports medicine is the application of the physician’s knowledge, skills and attitudes to those engaged in sports and exercise. The program provides training in the development of the clinical competencies needed to diagnose and manage medical illnesses and injuries related to sport and exercise. Clinical experience includes prevention, pre-participation evaluation, management of acute and chronic illness or injury and rehabilitation as applied to a broad spectrum of undifferentiated patients. We provide experience functioning as a team physician and in the promotion of physical fitness and lifestyles.

The Program curriculum will include, but not be limited to the following content and skill areas:

  • Anatomy, physiology and biomechanics of exercise
  • Basic nutritional principles and their application to exercise
  • Psychological aspects of exercise, performance and competition
  • Guidelines for evaluation prior to participation in sport and exercise
  • Physical conditioning requirements for various activities
  • Special considerations related to age, gender and disability
  • Pathology and pathophysiology of illness and injury as it relates to exercise
  • Effects of disease on exercise and the use of exercise in the care of medical problems
  • Prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries
  • Understanding pharmacology and effects of therapeutic, performance-enhancing and recreational drugs
  • Promotion of physical fitness and healthy lifestyles
  • Functioning as a team physician
  • Ethical principles as applied to exercise and sports
  • Medical-legal aspects of exercise and sports
  • Environmental effects on exercise
  • Anatomy related to exercise
  • Growth and development related to exercise
  • Aspiration and injection of joints or soft tissues
  • Casting and splinting
  • Demonstrate competence in patient education regarding sport and exercise
  • Basics in the technology, diagnostic and therapeutic use of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Sample Year

Fellow A Fellow B Fellow C
August MSK Radiology MSK Radiology MSK Radiology
September Adult Ortho Hand Ortho Adult Ortho
October Peds Ortho Adult Ortho Rheum/PT
November Ortho Hand Peds Ortho Adult Ortho
December Ortho Spine Ortho Hand Peds Ortho
January Ski Trauma Ortho Spine Ortho Hand
February Rheum/PT Ski Trauma Ortho Spine
March Adult Ortho Rheum/PT Ski Trauma
April Nutrition/AMSSM Nutrition/AMSSM Nutrition/AMSSM
May PMR Cardiac Testing Adult Ortho
June VA PMR Ortho Procedures
July Ortho Procedures VA PMR