The Team Physician

Abstract

The term may refer to the activity of a physician in providing medical surveillance and care to a team of athletes, or to activities in coordinating a team of medical and paramedical professionals (the sports medicine team) in the care of one or more athletes. Frequently, it denotes both activities undertaken by the same physician simultaneously. To be effective, the team physician must have medical knowledge and skill in breadth, as opposed to depth, such as derives from primary care experience. Furthermore, he or she must understand, appreciate, and function comfortably with athletics, athletes, the athlete's milieu, and the other individuals important to athletes' successful pursuit of their chosen sport. Although such service rarely provides significant financial remuneration, the rewards in terms of personal satisfaction, the opportunity for unique interpersonal relationships, and the ability to make a meaningful community contribution are significant and apparently sufficient to encourage a rapidly growing number of physicians to undertake the role.