Sports psychiatry clinical curriculum for sports and exercise medicine fellows in one Canadian university

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Athletes can experience the same mental illnesses as the general population. Sports create additional circumstances that can influence the mental health of its participants. Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) physicians are often on the front lines of providing medical assessment and treatment to athletes for a variety of presenting complaints. Enhancing the knowledge base and clinical approach of Sport and Exercise Medicine physicians for assessment and management of mental health challenges in athletes can assist in early identification, assessment, treatment initiation, or referral to a sports psychiatrist. Providing SEM trainees with formal clinical exposure to Sports Psychiatry can better equip them for their future practice. This article describes a formalized clinical rotation in Sports Psychiatry for SEM Fellows in one Canadian university. Methods: In collaboration with the SEM Fellowship program, a formal Sports Psychiatry rotation was created to ensure every Fellow had exposure to mental health assessment and management of athletes appropriate to what would be expected of SEM physicians. Results: A four-week curriculum which included direct clinical assessment, treatment initiation, follow up, and presentation of case-based mental health topics appropriate for SEM physicians. This program was reviewed during accreditation as part of the Enhanced Skills curriculum of the postgraduate Family Medicine program at McMaster University in 2023. Conclusion: An integrated Sports Psychiatry rotation during a SEM Fellowship provides an opportunity for future SEM physicians to have exposure to a clinical population of athletes with mental health concerns to develop tools for assessment, management, and collaborative care.