Member May: Setting Up Your Sports Medicine Career for Success: Advice on Fellowship Applications and Preparing for Fellowship and Beyond-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This recorded session from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMNR) features a panel of sports medicine experts discussing the fellowship application process for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) residents interested in entering sports medicine. The panelists, including current fellows and faculty from various programs, share insights on building a strong fellowship application, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s experiences and interests—such as sports coverage, research, leadership, and education—with the fellowship program’s strengths.<br /><br />Key advice includes crafting an application that tells a coherent personal and professional story reflective of genuine interests and career goals. The panel highlights the variability among fellowships, especially family medicine-based versus PM&R-based programs, and encourages applicants to research program faculty, continuity clinics, procedural opportunities (e.g., ultrasound, EMG), and coverage responsibilities to find the best fit. They suggest using fellowship interviews as a mutual fit assessment rather than a traditional audition, stressing interpersonal connections and program culture.<br /><br />Profound emphasis is placed on mentorship, program structure (including progressive autonomy and curricula), and realistic expectations about coverage experience. Practical tips are offered for navigating interview scheduling conflicts professionally, organizing application experiences strategically, and distinguishing meaningful from less relevant experiences.<br /><br />The panel encourages applicants to seek advice from mentors and peers, trust their instincts regarding program fit, and consider long-term career goals when selecting programs. The session concludes with an open offer to connect via email for further questions, underscoring the supportive community within PM&R sports medicine.

Keywords

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Sports Medicine Fellowship

Fellowship Application Process

PM&R Residents

Mentorship in Sports Medicine

Fellowship Program Selection

Interview Strategies

Program Culture

Procedural Opportunities

Career Goals in PM&R