Summary Report for:
29-1069.11 - Sports Medicine Physicians
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Interests | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Additional Information
Tasks
- Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Examine, evaluate and treat athletes who have been injured or who have medical problems such as exercise-induced asthma.
- Advise coaches, trainers, or physical therapists on the proper use of exercises and other therapeutic techniques and alert them to potentially dangerous practices.
- Coordinate sports care activities with other experts including specialty physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, or coaches.
- Develop and test procedures for dealing with emergencies during practices or competitions.
- Examine and evaluate athletes prior to participation in sports activities to determine level of physical fitness or predisposition to injuries.
- Evaluate and manage chronic pain conditions.
- Inform athletes about nutrition, hydration, dietary supplements, or uses and possible consequences of medication.
- Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Prescribe medications for the treatment of athletic-related injuries.
Interests
Interest code: ISR
| Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. |
| Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. |
| Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. |
Work Values
| Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
| Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Employment data collected from Physicians and Surgeons.
Industry data collected from Physicians and Surgeons.
| Employment (2008) | 661,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2008-2018) | 
Much faster than average (20% or higher)
|
| Projected job openings (2008-2018) | 260,500 |
| Top industries (2008) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data
and 2008-2018 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2008-2018). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Physicians and surgeons
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.