The Journal of family practice
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Sports medicine has matured as a focused discipline within primary care with the number of primary care sports medicine physicians growing annually. The practices of these physicians range from "part-time" sports medicine as a part of a broader practice in their primary specialty, to functioning as a full-time team physician for a university or college. Managed care organizations are increasingly incorporating primary care sports medicine providers into their organizations. The optimal role of these providers in a managed care system has not been described. ⋯ Primary care sports medicine physicians offer an intermediate level of care for patients while maintaining a practice in their primary care specialty. This dual practice is ideal in the managed care setting. This study demonstrates the complementary nature of primary care sports medicine and orthopedics, with the primary care sports medicine physician reducing the demand on orthopedists for nonsurgical treatment. This study also demonstrates the need for revision in the orthopedic curriculum for primary care physicians.