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1) What type of residency should I choose to be eligible for primary care sports medicine fellowships?
An applicant should evaluate their interests and goals for the future when they choose a residency. A person interested in sports medicine can do a residency in family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Most primary care sport medicine physicians choose a residency in family medicine due to the larger amount of fellowship openings for family medicine trained individuals.
2) How do I research individual fellowships?
A listing of fellowships can be found on the AMSSM (http://www.amssm.org/), AAFP (http://www.aafp.org/), AOASM (http://www.aoasm.org/), and individual fellowship websites. Attending the AMSSM annual meeting and networking with people from the various fellowship programs can give information that is not found on the websites.
3) How do I decide which programs to apply?
You should decide: what area of the country you would like to train in, do you want a community or university setting, which sports do you want included in the fellowship, are you interested in doing research, what credentials do the faculty have, and what benefits does the program offer.
4) Does accreditation matter? How do I find out about accreditation?
It is important to attend an accredited fellowship; otherwise, you will not be qualified to take the certificate of added qualification examination in sports medicine. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) website (http://www.acgme.org/) lists programs that are accredited.
5) What are the important dates to remember?
Early September, the match opens and registering begins.
Application deadline for individual programs varies but is generally October to mid-November.
Early November - the rank-order list opens for residents.
Mid December - the rank-order list closes for residents
Early January - is match day.
6) How do I sign up for the match?
Visit the National Resident Matching Program website (http://www.nrmp.org/) to register for the match. It is a $40 fee to register and enter the rank list.
7) Are all fellowship programs included in the match?
No. There are several programs including the military sites that are not included in the match.
8) Is there a universal application process like ERAS for residency?
No. Although there is a general application accepted by all fellowships on the AMSSM website, there is not a universal process to disperse this application. Typically, each program requires different material in order to complete the application, ie. copies of medical school transcripts/diplomas, recommendations from program directors. It is best to contact the programs that you are interested in early in your 3rd year to understand exactly what you need to complete your application at that specific program and to confirm the mailing address of the program.
9) How do I strengthen my application?
AMSSM has a universal application on the website to use during the application process. This application can be used as a guide during residency to exemplify what program directors expect in qualified candidates. Experience and interest at an early level, presentations at local/regional/national meetings, and attending AMSSM conferences can help set you apart during the process. Meeting program directors and getting involved at the AMSSM national conference is also a great way to promote your application and learn more about the individual programs.
10) Should I do an away rotation?
This is always a difficult decision and should not be made without a lot of thought. Generally, it is a good idea to get to know the programs that interest you. It is beneficial to understand the day-to-day activities of the fellowship when making your decision for rank lists. A great way to gain that understanding is through elective rotations.
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