The Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship prepares physicians with the knowledge, skills and proficiency needed to care for athletes while maintaining and building on primary care abilities.

Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship

The Department of Family Medicine’s sports medicine fellows have a unique opportunity to experience primary care sports medicine in a variety of settings directly from leaders in the field. This one-year training program largely alternates between experiences with primary care sports medicine faculty and orthopedists. Clinical training is provided by an excellent staff of sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, musculoskeletal radiologists, sports cardiologist, sports dietitian and sports psychologists.

During the program, fellows acquire the knowledge, skills and proficiency needed to care for those engaged in sports and exercise at an expert level while maintaining and building on primary care abilities. Fellows develop the clinical competencies required to diagnose and manage medical illnesses and injuries related to sports and exercise, the expertise to become a community resource and leader and the framework and skill set to engage in future research. The sports medicine fellowship equips learners to successfully complete the Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Sports Medicine. By the end of the fellowship program, physicians have the skills necessary to become a national leader in sports medicine care.

Fellowship Program in Indianapolis

Competitive pay and excellent benefits are provided to primary care physicians who are considering a fellowship in sports medicine. Find out more about IU School of Medicine’s Graduate Medical Education program.

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Clinical Experience

Some of the clinical experiences during fellowship include pre-participation evaluation, injury prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic sports injuries, fracture management, physical therapy rehabilitation and modalities, exposure to surgical pathology and anatomy, diagnostic ultrasound, landmark based and ultrasound guided injections, PRP, compartment pressure testing, concussion management and ECG interpretation in athletes. Fellows will also be involved with planning and providing mass event coverage and serving as the team physician at various sporting events.

Fellows have many responsibilities, including coverage of multiple national professional and amateur sporting events that come to Indianapolis, which is home to the NCAA headquarters, American College of Sports Medicine, National Federation of State High School Association as well as professional, collegiate and high school teams. Fellows have primary coverage of an Indianapolis high school and Division I Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis. Fellows work alongside the team physician at both Indiana University and Purdue University for training rooms, football games, and other event coverage. Examples of other sports medicine events covered include Golden Gloves boxing, Big Shoulders Open Water Swim, Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, 500 Festival Mini Marathon, Indianapolis Indians baseball, Indianapolis Alleycats ultimate frisbee, and NCAA and Indiana High School Association Athletic State Championships.

Teaching and Didactics

Offered by one of the largest medical schools and academic medical centers in the United States, the Indiana University School of Medicine fellowship program offers multiple opportunities for teaching. Sports medicine fellows give lectures and joint examination workshops for IU School of Medicine MD students, residents and orthopedic sports medicine staff. Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to provide teaching to residents, medical students and advanced provider students routinely in clinics.

One afternoon per week will be dedicated to didactics for the primary care sports fellows. The didactics focus on preparation for the CAQ examination but also cover a variety of other pertinent sports medicine topics and procedural skills. The curriculum also includes a specific ultrasound component based on the AMSSM recommended ultrasound competencies for diagnostic and interventional ultrasounds.

Other educational activities include attendance and presentation at sports physical therapy grand rounds, radiology rounds, journal clubs, sports medicine didactic sessions for the family medicine residency, presentations for the community and local and national sports medicine conferences.

Research and Presentation Experience

The fellowship involves participation in community-service activities and a research project in any area of interest in sports medicine. The Department of Family Medicine provides outstanding support for fellows with dedicated research staff assisting in developing and implementing the project. Sports medicine fellows are encouraged to submit cases or abstracts for presentation at national sports medicine conferences including the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. Fellows are also supported in scholarly submissions to peer reviewed journals and contributions to textbook chapters.

Curriculum and Rotation Schedule

The sports medicine fellowship schedule integrates longitudinal primary care sports medicine and orthopedics in a 12-month rotation schedule. One month focuses on musculoskeletal radiology. Fellows spend one half-day per week in their primary care specialty.

Application Process

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency program. We only accept applicants trained in Family Medicine and Internal Medicine/Pediatrics. Applicants must submit the application and supporting documentation via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) system. Applications for the 2025 Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship will be accepted beginning July 15, 2024. Additional information is available through AAMC.