A new academic year will just be underway in some time, and if you are thinking of going to school to pursue a career in sports medicine. Read this article to the end.
Sports medicine is a niche healthcare field that focuses on preventing and treating injuries related to sports and exercise. Sports medicine is a growing clinical specialty, which has branched out considerably from its original work with elite athletes. Huge amounts of money are being spent by sporting bodies and federations to maintain the fitness of their athletes.
The world of sports is highly competitive. Sportspersons need to be at the top of their fitness regimes all the time. This has naturally led to the immense and critical importance and necessity of sports medicine specialists in the lives of sportspersons.
Why pursue a career in Sports Medicine?
From casual joggers to professional athletes, anyone who participates in physical activity can experience an injury. Primary care doctors often refer injured players to sports medicine professionals. These professionals possess specialized training related to specific injuries, allowing them to provide appropriate care. This is the time to pursue a career in sports medicine. With the inception of various franchise-based leagues, players will be further drained and the demand for sports medicine specialists will only go up.
Skills required for a career in Sports Medicine:
The following five points outline the skills that one must possess for a career in sports medicine and a majority of them will be gained in a sports medicine program.
Compassion: it plays a vital role in all sports medicine careers. Professionals must have a feeling of empathy towards their patients and a genuine desire to help others. Compassion cultivates a patient's trust so that the professional can provide the highest level of care.
Communication: excellent oral and written skills are pre-requisite in this field. Professionals need to understand patients' needs and deliver effective treatment plans.
Research: sports medicine career requires professionals to stay up to date with the latest discoveries and advancements.
Organization: professionals must possess organisational skills in order to manage dozens of patients, meet deadlines, and keep track of all the important information.
Dexterity: as physical therapists spend most of their time therapeutically touching patients, they must possess excellent physical dexterity. Supervised mentoring in the institutes help sports medicine students to hone this skill.
Various job profiles in a career in sports medicine:
Here are the various job profiles in a career in sports medicine along with the job description and the average salary than it offers:
Naturopathy Doctors: these professionals primarily deal with injuries of bone and muscles. The average salary of a naturopathy doctor is 2-12 LPA
Dietician: these professionals provide health advice and nutrition tips to their patients. They promote healthy eating, spread awareness about nutrition, and suggest a diet to patients and individuals. The average salary of a dietician is 6-9 LPA
Gym instructor: they instruct, train, and promote fitness amongst individuals and groups. The average salary of a gym instructor is 3-12 LPA.
Management trainee: these professionals train subordinates and freshers with the skills and training required for performing different activities. The average salary of a management trainee is 3-6 LPA
Medical doctor: these professionals treat patients against illness and prescribe them proper measures. The average salary of a medical doctor is 8-9 LPA.
Best colleges for a career in sports medicine in India:
Here is the list of the best colleges for a career in sports medicine in India along with its location, fee structure, and the average salary that it offers:
Indian Institute of Sports Medicine (IISM)
Location: Mumbai
Fee: 3.50 lakhs
Average package: 6-7 LPA
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital
Location: New Delhi
Fee: 1.23 lakhs
Average package: 9 LPA
Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)
Location: Maharashtra
Fee: 1.69 lakhs
Average package: 7-8 LPA
Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute
Location: Tamil Nadu
Fee: 20.00 thousand
Average package: 6 LPA
All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health
Location: Kolkata
Fee: 1.38 lakhs
Average package: 3-4 LPA
It's future in India:
The world of sports is highly competitive. Sportspersons need to remain at the top of the fitness regime all the time. With the culture of sports and working out steadily growing all over India, the practice of sports medicine is increasingly becoming a promising career option, especially for those interested in the sphere of fitness and medicine. According to a study by a private institute, the need for sports medicine professionals will grow by 28% between 2016 and 2026 -- more than three times faster than the national average.
Note: the average packages mentioned above are tentative and this data is as per the current scenario.
