SPORTS MEDICINE CONJOINT EXAM FOR CERTIFICATION OF ADDED QUALIFICATIONS

APPLICATION PACKET - October 15, 2006

QUESTIONS?

- Examination Dates

- Eligibility Requirements 

 

Examination Date: October 15, 2006 (Afternoon)
(Prior to AOA Convention)

Location:  Las Vegas, NV

Application DeadlinePostmark date of May 19, 2006 

Eligibility:  Requires completion of AOA-approved sports medicine fellowship training program

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS  EXAMINATION IN SPORTS MEDICINE 

All applicants must submit the following:

            1.  Completed legibly printed or typed application

            2.  Fifty dollar ($50) application fee 

            3.  Original passport size photograph attached to the application 

            4. Copy of current state medical license with expiration date for the principle location of clinical practice

            5  Copy of sports medicine fellowship program certificate

            6.  Letter of recommendation from Program Director in sports medicine          

            7.  Copy of letter from AOA granting approval of program and training in sports medicine and stating that the “program is complete”

            8.  Written verification from the AOA confirming membership in good standing for two consecutive years; contact AOA Membership Services Department (800)621-1773 and they will forward directly to the AOBFP

    

INFORMATION FOR THE SPORTS MEDICINE EXAMINATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF ADDED QUALIFICATIONS

The Sports Medicine Examination program for a certificate of added qualifications is conjointly developed by interested osteopathic specialty boards and the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine.  A Sports Medicine Conjoint Examination Committee has representation from each participating specialty board and academy.

This program is designed to recognize excellence among those who provide care to persons who participate in athletics or exercise programs.  The examination evaluates an understanding of the scientific basis of the problems involved in sports medicine, the familiarity with the current advances in sports medicine, the possession of sound judgment and of a high degree of skill in the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involved in the practice of sports medicine.

Definition

Sports medicine is that branch of the healing arts profession that utilizes an holistic, comprehensive team approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and adequate management of sport and exercise-related injuries, disorders, dysfunctions and exercise-related disease processes.

The specialty of sports medicine consists of the following:

            A.  The comprehensive medical management of the athlete which requires an understanding across a broad scope of specializations.

            B.  An understanding of performance aids, coaching techniques and training skills.

            C.  The science of injury prevention and recognition, advanced rehabilitation techniques and epidemiology.

            D.  The application of wellness through cardiovascular training of the general public as well as athletes with disability.

            E.  The application of sports science in improving the health care of athletes.

            F.  The recognition of the special medical problems of athletes.

            G.  The application of osteopathic principles to athletes.

            H.  The term athlete refers to an individual who is engaged in sport, exercise or physic al activity at the recreational, competitive, industrial, professional or elite level. 

Eligibility 

The requirements include approved training and/or practice experience.  Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements: 

            - Hold primary certification awarded by the AOA upon the recommendation of a participating specialty board

            - Hold a valid, unrestricted license to practice medicine in a state of the United States; applicants with a restricted, suspended or revoked license in any jurisdiction at the time of application will not be admitted to the examination. 

            - Current member in good standing in the American Osteopathic Association or the Canadian Osteopathic Association

            - Completion of one year of AOA -approved fellowship training in sports medicine evidenced by copy of sports medicine certificate and letter of recommendation from program director.  Eligibility for examination will be six years from date of completion of fellowship training program. 

Substantiation of Clinical Competence 

The application must contain substantiation of the Diplomate's satisfactory clinical competence in sports medicine.  This substantiation must be provided by the program director in the sports medicine approved fellowship training program. 

Examination

            Dates/Location

            The CAQ examination in sports medicine will be offered at a time and site as determined by the Committee, but no less than once every two years. 

            Fees/Deadlines

            The nonrefundable application fee of $50 must accompany the application by the published postmark deadline date.  The registration period ends at least ninety days prior to the examination date.  The examination fee will be $750 and payment is requested after approval of a candidate for examination and is due by a published postmark deadline date of at least 45 days prior to the examination date.  There is a nonrefundable penalty fee of $100 for withdrawal later than at least 14 days prior to the examination date.

            Format

            The examination will be a proctored half-day examination consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions of the "one best answer" type.  Questions will cover  the following four major categories:

 

            Basic Science                                             Injury Management/Prevention

            A. Anatomy                                                         A. On-site immediate acute care

            B. Physiology                                                     B. Post event care   

            C. Pharmacology                                              C. Sports knowledge,sports rules

            D. Nutrition                                                          D. Protective equipment

 

            Diagnostics                                                     Treatment

            A. History                                                           A. Pharmacological

            B.  X-ray & lab                                                   B. OMT

            C. Performance                                                C. Rehab modalities (acute and

                                                                                                reinjury prevention)

            D. Consultation                                                  D. Psychological

 

            Preparation

            No specific recommendation about study methods or review courses may be made.  However, extensive self study of sports medicine in texts and journals and participation in continuing medical education programs and review courses in sports medicine should be useful.

 

            Results

            Candidates will be informed of the results of the examination within 90 days following the examination date.  Successful candidates will receive a certificate for Certification of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine notating an expiration date of ten years thereafter.  The certificate will be awarded after the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists gives final approval of the exam process for each candidate.  This approval process may take about six months following the notification of successful completion of the examination. Upon written request and payment of a fee of $50, candidates may obtain rescoring of the examination within a year of receiving the results.  The answer sheets of candidates will be destroyed three years after administration. 

            Reexamination

            Candidates may reapply for the next scheduled examination upon submitting a letter of intent, updated application information and the examination fee of $750.

Application Process

The applicant must submit to the specialty board which has awarded primary certification the following at the time of application: 

            - Completed application signed and dated by applicant

            - Original passport size photo 

            - Copy of state medical license indicating expiration date

            - Application fee in the form of a check for $50

            - Appropriate letters of recommendation

            - Copy of sports medicine program certificate 

            - Written verification from the AOA confirming membership in good standing for two consecutive years

           

Applicant files will be reviewed by the Sports Medicine Conjoint Examination Committee after the close of the registration period.  Candidates will be notified in writing of their eligibility. 

SUBMIT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IN ONE MAILING BY THE POSTMARK DEADLINE DATE OF MAY 19, 2006 TO:

                        American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians

                        330 E. Algonquin Rd., Suite 6

                        Arlington Heights, IL  60005

                        (847)640-8477

 

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