Education in Sports Medicine

Abstract

One of the innovative developments in Sports Medicine education has been the establishment of medical student options in Sport and Exercise Medicine. The first such option to attend the Department of Sports Medicine at the General Hospital, Hartlepool and the University of Sunderland took place in January and February of 1997 when twelve medical students were attached to the units for a seven week period. During this time they received formal lectures, clinical teaching, laboratory assessment of fitness, workshops on sports psychology, interpretation of X-rays and workshops on resuscitation and life support. The subsequent introduction of Modernising Medical Careers by the Department of Health has made the undergraduate experience more significant in contributing to career decisions. In the past, clinical education was almost exclusively provided in hospital but there is now much more emphasis on learning in ambulatory settings. Day surgery units can provide the students with better learning opportunities compared to hospital in-patients. It was in the day surgery unit that the students learned basic clinical skills such as suture techniques which could then be transferred to injuries in the field of play. As part of the practical aspects of Sports Medicine the students accompanied medical officers to rugby and football teams. They were particularly privileged to attend Premiership matches in both rugby and football and gain on-field expertise. As part of the option, students in the 4th year of medicine were required to undertake a project which they selected themselves. The projects were presented to their teachers at the University Hospital of Hartlepool and at the University of Newcastle. Three of the projects are listed below and are available online at www.smj.org.uk .