Education · 1 of 4

The path

Most sports medicine doctors go through family medicine. A few come from other specialties.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Top marks in biology, chemistry, math and English. Play sports; it helps more here than in any other specialty.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   3 to 4 years

   Kinesiology is a natural fit, but any major works. Keep a GPA (grade point average) above 3.8, volunteer, do research. Write the MCAT (medical school admission test).

3. 3

   Medical school, the MD (doctor of medicine)

   3 to 4 years

   Acceptance rates are 5% to 15%. Classes, then clinical rotations.

4. 4

   Family medicine residency

   2 years

   Matched through CaRMS (the residency matching service). Clinics, hospital wards, emergency, obstetrics. Pass the family medicine certification exam.

5. 5

   Sport and exercise medicine year, then the diploma

   1 year

   Matched through the family medicine enhanced skills match. Sports clinics, sideline coverage, concussion and fracture care. Then write the CASEM (Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine) diploma exam, the standard credential for sport medicine in Canada.