Sports Medicine: A Team Effort.

In brief: The subspecialty of sports medicine is not reserved for the physician, who is just one member of the team. Sports scientists, psychologists, dentists, optometrists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, orthotists and prosthetists, podiatrists, nutritionists, and others play an integral part on the sports medicine team. However, the primary care physician can be the key to optimal performance of the sports medicine team-by being familiar with the talent and capability of specialists, communicating effectively, and knowing his or her own limitations.