As a new sports medicine fellow, will you be comfortable handling direct patient care with little supervision?

"I feel confident in my ability to work with most of the patients I will see as a new sports medicine fellow without someone watching over my shoulder. My PM&R training has prepared me well to work with a variety of patients with musculoskeletal issues. With that said, I also want every interaction with a patient to be a learning opportunity, and I know your faculty has an excellent reputation for providing those opportunities to blossoming sports medicine professionals. I welcome every opportunity as a chance to learn in training here."

Your team of interviewers will consider matching fellows from a handful of different residency training paths; they know that new fellows will vary in their comfortability handling the wide range of patients they see. They ideally want to hear that you have the desire and knowledge to work independently while seeking guidance when you need it as a fellow not educated on certain patient issues.

Prove your ability to work confidently with little supervision while not being overconfident. As a new sports medicine fellow, you should likely be very comfortable with a majority of the patients you will treat while also knowing that you will need guidance on some injuries and conditions. Your work with patients will be scrutinized and used as a learning opportunity, so let your interviewers know that you are aware of that. Speak with humble confidence in your ability to work with patients with little to no supervision.

"I have prepared for sports medicine fellowship by completing multiple rotations in this specialty during my residency training, and I am ready to start fellowship training with your program today. If I encountered situations where I felt I needed help, I would discuss this with my attending physician promptly."

Tell us about the most interesting case you were exposed to in medical school. What intrigued you so much about it?

"During my second year of residency last year, a patient complained of persistent pain in his lower abdomen during his annual exam. While this may seem like a regular occurrence, the case was so intriguing because we ran as many tests as possible and still couldn't get a formal diagnosis. It took several referrals to get him to a rheumatologist, and he was eventually diagnosed with scleroderma. As the primary care physician, I stayed in the know and learned so much about how teamwork can impact a patient."

Sports medicine fellowship programs often have a very tough choice when ranking the candidates they interview, especially given the clinical strengths of the pool. Programs love to ask questions that get at a candidate's overall passion and curiosity for a career in medicine.

Before your sports medicine fellowship interview, consider the most intriguing and thought-provoking case you worked on during your residency training. The most interesting cases to you should hopefully pertain in some way, shape, or form to your ideal future practice. Set the stage for the case, name a couple of points that intrigued you, and explain why. If you know the outcome of the case, discuss that briefly as well.

"My most memorable case was a patient with multiple sclerosis during my final year of residency. She was so grateful to her primary care doctor, who diagnosed the condition after she had many peculiar symptoms. It was a condition I didn't have much exposure to before then, and I learned so much from the situation."

Tell us about a time you had a setback or failure during your residency training. How did you respond?

"During an HIM rotation during my second year, I miscommunicated an IV order for a patient when the unit was full one night. Thankfully, the charge nurse caught my mistake before the medication was administered by the floor staff. First, I took full accountability, thanked the charge nurse, and apologized for my mistake. I realized that trying to work quickly in a busy situation could have negative results, and I will take this lesson with me into your fellowship program and my career in practice."

In the field of sports medicine, quick decisions don't always go the way you hope, and you will experience some clinical setbacks during your time in fellowship training. Knowing that experience can often lead to future results, the program you are interviewing with wants to hear how you work in the face of adversity. They also want to know that they will match a candidate who will rise to the occasion when the going gets tough.

You must be able to give a concrete example of a failure you experienced during your residency training and then show how you were able to improve your circumstances. Walk the team of interviewers through the situation you faced, what happened, and the steps you took to make the situation right. You should be able to show that you learned from the failure and that you won't make the same mistake again.

"At the beginning of my final year of residency, I was admittedly in a bad place emotionally and burned out. I had always prided myself on not letting pressures get to me. I'm so proud that I was cognizant enough to approach my program director and administrator about how I felt. I received some great advice from another attending physician to whom my program director referred me. I've moved forward since then, prioritizing 'me time' and 'family time' when not on my shifts."

Have you looked at the elective rotations we offer our sports medicine fellows? Which ones interest you the most?

"During my medical school training, I quickly learned that rehabilitation medicine and sports medicine were my ideal future, and I matched into a renowned PM&R program. Over the last four years, I have taken advantage of many opportunities to strengthen my skills in sports medicine. As you can see from my CV, I was the team physician for two years for a local Division I high school basketball program. Along with this experience, I've taken advantage of every opportunity to attend several sports-medicine-specific regional and national conferences, lending a close ear to great speakers."

Even though there are no formal requirements for applying to a competitive sports medicine fellowship program, the AMSSM has a recommended preparation track for prospective fellows to follow during their residency training. This recommended path can occur in any specialty. Your interviewer wants to hear that you have taken this path seriously and are committed to success with their program.

Before your sports medicine fellowship interview, prepare your list of what sports medicine focuses you have taken during your residency training. Familiarize yourself with the AMSSM recommended track items like an elective rotation in sports med, team physician experience with a local high school team, participation in at least one mass event, attendance at least one sports med conference, and other items. Take advantage of this opportunity to show your commitment to a future in the field.

What are you looking to take from your training with our sports medicine fellowship program?

"As an emergency medicine physician, I want to expand my skills into musculoskeletal diagnosing for my patients and would love to provide team sports coverage during my career. I plan to practice with a large academic institution in practice, research, and education post-fellowship."

Pursuing additional fellowship training requires a strong desire to advance your skills before heading into practice. The program you are interviewing with wants to match sports medicine fellows with passion and dedication, and your team of interviewers wants to hear you talk about your goals with their program.

Research the sports medicine fellowship program and the institution you are interviewing with before your interview. Look at the mission and values of the organization, the curriculum of the program, and where past fellows have found practices post-residency. No matter how you answer, take accountability for your growth and experiences and show that you feel this program is a great fit for you.

"My goal is to come out of your sports medicine fellowship program armed with further clinical knowledge and much more confidence in research in sports medicine. My ideal primary care practice will be working with young athletes in the region that I practice."

Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you would like to pursue during your Sports Medicine Fellowship?

"Yes, I have put quite a bit of consideration into this and based my applications for fellowship on programs like yours that offer experience in radiology, cardiology, and additional research time. My ideal future practice will involve heart performance and stress testing in athletics and research."

A one-year fellowship in sports medicine gives trainees the chance to customize their training to best fit their ultimate career goals. The interviewers will want to hear the elective rotations that their top candidates are considering.

Show your interviewers that you have a calculated plan for your training with their program that will set you up for success. Before your interview, read through the curriculum requirements and electives for the sports medicine fellowship program you are interviewing with. They can be found on the program's website. Come to your interview prepared to describe your ideal path over the next year.

"I want to match into a program that offers electives in sports psychology and ophthalmology. This narrowed my list down, and I love what I learned about these rotations during my interview today. I can see your program being a great fit in helping me reach my career goals."

Communication skills are essential in the sports medicine field. How would you describe your communication skills?

"My communication skills focus on education and compassion, and I've strengthened these skills over the last three years of family medicine residency training. I treat every conversation with the utmost respect, no matter the nature of the communication. As a sports medicine fellow in a fast-paced setting, I know that my colleagues and patients will expect my communications to be well thought out to give great information and to do so with compassion."

Patient-centered communication is vital for the fellows of any sports medicine fellowship training program, and your interviewers want to know that you are a great communicator. They're looking to match fellows with strong verbal and written communication skills when communicating with patients, faculty, colleagues, and your patient care team.

Before your fellowship interview, think about your communication strengths and how they have grown during your residency training. Come to your interview prepared to talk about what makes you great at communicating with patients, colleagues, and support staff. More importantly, explain why solid communication skills are vital for any sports medicine fellow and future physician in practice.

"Communication is critical in a clinical setting, and I'm confident that my residency training has prepared me well for success here. I have excellent communication skills and can easily break down complex information into easy-to-understand words. I would also say that I am an empathetic listener as well."

Have you put any thought into areas of interest for your research project during your sports medicine fellowship training?

"Yes, concussion management is very near and dear to my heart. I would love to focus a research project on either concussion prevention measures in contact sports or novel therapies for enhanced recoveries. Can you talk about any research your institution is conducting on concussion management?"

Most sports medicine fellowship programs include a research project that involves mentorship and dedicated research time. Because it will help shape the future of the field, your team of interviewers wants to hear that you've considered your options for a research project and that you have one or two areas that highly interest you.

You hopefully have a sense of the types of research that interest you before your sports medicine fellowship interview. You want to come to your interview prepared to speak passionately about that research interest. If you have experience in medical research during our medical school and residency training, be sure to mention that experience in your answer.

"Regenerative medicine is something I'm very intrigued by, and I'd love to explore more about it. Stem cell and platelet therapies are helping in many areas of medicine, and I've been learning a lot about their use in MSK injuries."

How would you like to see the delivery of healthcare evolve in the future? How do you see this impacting sports medicine?

"Access is such a huge issue to primary care providers throughout the country, including patients being seen in sports medicine clinics. There are many great technological and administrative advancements emerging and on the horizon that will have a major impact on bettering the lives of the general population. I think the biggest and most exciting innovations will come in the form of at-home monitoring for things like sleep studies and patients' vital signs. AI and monitoring patients through belts, rings, and even pillows will allow physicians to diagnose and treat patients well before they had been in the past. I look forward to seeing these advancements come to fruition during my career as a physician."

Your interviewers want to hear your personal feelings on where healthcare could evolve for the better overall and in the scope of practice in sports medicine. They ideally want to match fellows with a passion for all aspects of medicine, and a forward-thinking approach is something they take seriously.

Be prepared to talk in an educated manner about how you feel the delivery of healthcare could improve and evolve. As you answer this question, take your experiences during residency training and things you've learned from past attending physicians. Speak with passion about future projected changes and your ability to be adaptable to new ways of practicing medicine.

"I think we all know that data and analytics will continue to evolve the way medicine is practiced, and it will be very patient-centric. I'm very excited for this future as I'm enamored with data analytics in medicine. For sports medicine, research into predisposal to injuries will be huge in the future and help prevent injuries before they potentially happen."

What challenges do you think the field of sports medicine will face in the next few years?

"I would foresee financial and resource challenges as real worries into the future for being such a niche field. Larger institutions are placing their eggs in money-making procedural and surgical practices. Do you have any thoughts on these potential challenges in the future of sports medicine?"

Sports medicine fellowship candidates that have done their homework on the future of the field will score bonus points with the program they are interviewing with. Your interviewers will look for candidates with the foresight to forecast the challenges the field faces.

Before your sports medicine fellowship interview, be sure to study and read as much as possible about the challenges the field will face in the future. Discuss the challenges you foresee and how you plan to succeed despite these challenges. Another great idea is to talk to some of the staff with your current residency institution to get their thoughts before your interview.

"It is my opinion, the overuse of opioids in the treatment of sports-related injuries will continue to be an issue many years into the future. It's to the point where it's almost glamorized among professional athletes who are often playing injured. The youth and aspiring professional athletes see this almost daily."

Technology and research is rapidly changing sports medicine. Where do you see the field heading in the next five years, and what part do you intend to play as a sports medicine physician?

"As it is impacting so many of the fields of medicine, genomics will play a major part in the future of sports medicine. I think particularly so in injury prevention and training for the athletes of the future. DNA can already be analyzed to customize nutritional plans for Olympic and professional athletes, and others are utilizing genomics to customize training programs. This is research I'd love to help further during my career in practice."

This question is meant to explore your vision for sports medicine in the future. The program wants to match fellows that will grow to be impactful physicians in their careers and help give their program a great name.

Before your sports medicine fellowship interviews, consider the new techniques and technologies you were exposed to during residency training and discuss your excitement for what the future will bring. Since it's becoming more prevalent in every field, make sure you know how telemedicine is impacting sports medicine as a whole around the world. You can find a lot of great reading materials on the subject before your interviews, so come prepared to talk about a few of the new developments you feel will impact the future of sports medicine.

"I see technology continuing to change the way sports medicine is practiced in the future. Wearable monitors will continue to advance to the point where they're used during games to monitor when a player is fatigued and should be substituted. The research into CTE and other life-altering injuries will continue to push the safety aspect of contact sports, and our field will play a huge role in future research and development of new products."

What role do you feel nutrition plays in helping the injured athlete?

"I know it plays a vital role in performance and injury prevention for athletes, and I'm looking forward to learning and growing more in this area as a fellow with your program. During my residency training, my training in nutrition was from my attending physicians and learning how to provide education to patients with weight issues or other diseases like diabetes. Realizing nutrition in sports medicine will be an entirely new area, I'm excited to learn and be a proponent for my future patients."

Nutrition in sports is a crucial concept that sports medicine fellows and practitioners need to grasp because the nutrients required to perform differ greatly from a regular diet. No matter what training path a candidate takes to a sports medicine fellowship, the program considers their needs to be assured that they understand the relationship between athletic performance/health and nutrition.

First, you want to discuss the nutrition basics from your residency training and apply them to the sports medicine world. Explain that you are aware that athletes should have a customized diet that takes into account their metabolism and the activity they are performing. If you need to, research this topic before your fellowship interview.

"Today's modern athlete has a wealth of information, food options, and supplements. With so many companies marketing new products almost daily, I know that I will have to be an educator to the athletes I work with and help them customize a diet that helps them perform better and prevent further injuries. Can you talk about the nutritional training you provide your fellows?"

Are you familiar with the common ways to stay on top of trends and changes in the sports medicine field?

"As a family medicine resident, I've actively participated in the AAFP and attended their national conference twice during my training. I love the ability to network, review research and learn from other peers. Knowing I would be pursuing this fellowship, I already joined the ACSM and look forward to learning more and exploring with that group. Do you have any other resources that you would recommend?"

With such a unique blend of training programs that lead to a fellowship in sports medicine, your interviewers know that you have been involved with different societies, journals, and conferences associated with your medical specialty throughout your residency training. They want to hear that you are familiar with the ways sports medicine specialists stay on top of new research and changing trends.

There are two key points that you want to make as you answer a question like this during your sports medicine fellowship interview. First, talk about how you embraced participating in the conferences and societies of your medical specialty during your residency. Speak with passion as you discuss how that helped benefit you and your future. Second, you want to ensure that you familiarize yourself with these channels available in the sports medicine arena and come prepared to discuss your excitement for participation in them in the future.

"I plan on staying current on all the new research, trends, and technologies to be the best physician I can be. I'm excited to immerse myself and join the ACSM and participate in the ASMI's annual conferences."

A requirement of our sports medicine fellowship program is providing team coverage, including some off hours. Can you commit to hours outside of general clinic hours?

"I'm honestly very excited to provide coverage at events like the regional marathon and division one sports coverage here at your program. My family and I are ready to put in the time needed for these events because I know these will be a part of my practice down the road."

During your year of sports medicine fellowship training, providing team coverage and mass event coverage during evening and weekend hours will be required. Your interviewers want to ensure that you are aware of the personal commitment and sacrifice it will take to succeed in their program.

Explain to your interviewers that you know their program will require you to work evenings and weekends at times. You want to exude excitement for the types of coverage you will be providing, so be sure to research the details of the sports coverage fellows provide on the program's website before your interview.

"I would come to your sports medicine fellowship program ready to put in all the time and effort needed to leave here with all the skills I will need to succeed in practice. My residency training had me working night, evening, and weekend shifts, so this won't be a big change for my family and me."

Are you considering any other sports medicine fellowship programs?

"I have applied to several reputable fellowships across the country with the culture and curriculum I'm looking for in a program. No matter the number of interviews I complete, I hold your program in the highest regard because of the academic and research success your past trainees are now having in practice."

It is no secret that prospective sports medicine fellows are encouraged to apply to many programs to better their odds of matching. If you emerge as one of the top candidates after their interview process, the program you are interviewing with wants to get a sense of competition that will be high to match you.

Talk openly about the applications you submitted, but emphasize your interest in this particular sports medicine fellowship program. Give specific reasons you want to complete your training with this program and explain how that will benefit you and your future career goals.

"Yes, I am currently interviewing with a few other programs across the country. I want a program that is an excellent fit for both parties. I love that your program offers a diverse array of electives and a strong curriculum, and I plan on ranking your program high from what I have learned today."

Do you foresee any issues in relocating to join our sports medicine fellowship program if you were to match here?

"No, I don't foresee any issues with relocating to join your program. First and foremost, your faculty and curriculum are the best fit for my goals in training, and I would honestly move to the moon to join. More importantly, this is one of the regions of the country that we ideally want to settle down in to raise our family, and my wife is most excited about this interview for me."

Most residents will apply to residency programs all over the country to better the odds of matching with a great sports medicine fellowship program. If they perceive your potential relocation as a long or difficult one, your interviewers will want to know you have seriously thought about how that move fits will work for you and your family.

The goal when answering this question is to assure the interviewers that relocating will not be a problem for you. The best way to do this is by letting them know you have done your homework on the institution, the city, and the region and highlighting why it will be a good fit for you. If you have a spouse and family, discuss the fact that they are on board with this potential move.

"I wouldn't have any issues relocating here as I have a lot of family and some friends nearby. I look forward to moving to this city, and I can envision myself living here for many years to come."

The coming year of sports medicine fellowship will be action-packed and busy. Are you ready to handle a large workload?

"Yes, I'm so excited to train with world-class faculty as you have here at your program. I love that your program gives exposure to great rotations that I'd be interested in, like the Olympic training center and sports nutrition. My wife would also love it here in southern California; we've talked about this at length before my interview."

From a rigorous required rotation and elective rotation schedule to the additional requirements of research, scholarly, and team coverage activities, a year of sports medicine fellowship training requires an immense commitment. The team interviewing you needs to be assured that you are ready and willing to commit your time and effort to succeed in their program.

To best answer a question like this, you want to show dedication to the program you are interviewing with while striking a healthy work-life balance to prevent burning out. It is okay to talk about your personal/family situation and the support you have following you to this program. No matter how you answer, show excitement for all the year that comes will bring your way.

"Coming from an intense emergency medicine residency program, I'm confident that a year in your sports medicine fellowship will be easy. I look at this opportunity as a chance to train with some of the best physicians in the country and provide coverage for some great college programs. My family is ready for this next adventure in our lives."

Anyone that matches into our fellowship program must pass a criminal record check. Is there any reason you would not be comfortable with this?

"I am ready to fully comply with any background and verification checks required for your sports medicine fellowship program and the facilities I would be practicing at. I have clean criminal and driving records."

Successfully passing a criminal background check is required for onboarding to a sports medicine fellowship program, just like you experienced when you entered residency training. Your interviewers ask this question to ensure that you would be able to pass any required state or federal background checks required by their institution.

If you can pass a criminal record check or education verification, explain that you have a clean record. If you have any blemishes on your records and cannot pass a criminal record check or education verification, be upfront about that in the interview process. The fellowship program will be more forgiving if you are honest about any marks on your background check.

"I would be happy to do a criminal background check and understand that you must do your due diligence to protect the safety of patients. I am completely comfortable with this."

Are there any procedures you would like to focus on during your sports medicine fellowship?

"Yes, I'm looking forward to learning PRP injections as a fellow with your program because it is such an effective treatment for ligament tears and joint injuries. And these are both injuries I want to treat as part of my future practice."

Most sports medicine fellowships expose their trainees to a variety of primary care and orthopedic procedures so their fellows graduate as well-rounded physicians. Your interviewers want to know the procedures you want to learn and are excited to master during your time training with their program.

Come to your sports medicine interview prepared to describe your ideal future practice and talk about the procedures you are looking forward to being exposed to during your training. These procedures can include ultrasound-guided injections, compartment pressure testing, and much more. The program's curriculum on its website will likely give you a great idea of what you will be exposed to.

"I'm looking forward to hands-on experience with several procedures while training as a sports medicine fellow. Since a future practice in musculoskeletal physiatry and sports medicine is important to me, I'm excited to continue to learn and grow in ultrasound-guided injections as a fellow."

Do you feel like you would have any shortcomings upon entering our sport medicine fellowship? If so, what steps would you take to improve?

"Yes, I am very aware that nutrition is one of my shortcomings that I just haven't studied enough, and I know it is a big part of a practice in sports medicine. I've already started reading and educating myself more on the topic, and it is quite fascinating. During my fellowship training, I ideally match into a program like yours that give fellows more practical experience in this realm."

As your interviewers connect with and consider many great residents, they know that every candidate has flaws. Your interviewers want to hear that you are cognizant of any shortcomings you have heading into fellowship training and are willing to do what is necessary to overcome them.

This is your chance to promote yourself despite your flaws. As you've researched the program you are interviewing with, their curriculum, and facilities, think about a weakness that will be evident yet easy to overcome. Your team of interviewers knows that you likely will have some areas where you will need to work harder on, so being honest and having an action plan here is the best answer possible.

"One of my greatest weaknesses is overanalyzing situations. I have been working on this during residency training. I have learned that, while analysis is important, overanalysis can also be the enemy of progress in a busy clinic setting. As a fellow, I know that providing team sports coverage often requires quick on-the-feet thinking, and I'm ready to take on this personal challenge here."

What made you choose to pursue sports medicine?

"As you can see from my CV, I was a DI athlete during my undergraduate program, and athletics have always been a big part of my life. When I suffered an ACL injury during my junior year, I saw firsthand how a great team of physicians and rehab specialists could get me back on the field in short order, and I knew I wanted to help pass this along to others as a career. I've dedicated my last three years of residency training for this moment and am so excited about the prospect of joining your program."

Being passionate about their area of patient care is essential for any physician to succeed in their craft. Your team of interviewers wants to match fellows into their sports medicine program who are invested in the future of the field and have some personal ties to success with future patients.

This is a question where you can truly shine by espousing the vision of the specialty--the athlete. Share your motivations and experiences leading you to pursue a sports medicine fellowship and a practice in the field. Speak from the heart, and your interviewers will sense your passion immediately.

"As a physiatrist who has focused my training and research into musculoskeletal health, sports medicine is a natural fit. I'm an avid marathon runner and would love to help keep aging runners able to participate in the sport that they love. For me, a well-rounded and robust future practice will include seeing sports med-related patients, and I'm confident your program can help me develop further skills I will need for this future."

Outside of medicine, what are your personal interests and hobbies?

"I am an athletic nut who stays busy playing multiple sports, working out, and training for half marathons. I also love to bake, a passion instilled in me by my grandmother. During residency training, I learned that a balance between home and work life kept me refreshed and ready on the job each day."

Having hobbies and interests outside of work or school is an important part of maintaining a healthy work/life balance as a physician. It is equally important during a robust sports medicine fellowship. Your team of interviewers wants to get to know you better as a person and get a feel for how you will fit in with other trainees, faculty, and the overall culture of their program.

Talk openly and honestly to the interviewers about the activities that interest you outside the medical field. As you answer, talk about how these activities will be important in your life as a sports medicine fellow in their program to help keep you happy, healthy, and refreshed during your training.

"My family is my number one priority outside of training. We have two young daughters, and I participate as much as I can in their academics and activities. Also, we like going for long walks with our golden retriever, Max."

Who has been the biggest mentor or inspiration to you in your pursuit of a career in medicine?

"As far as mentors go, my high school biology teacher pushed me into exploring more of my skills and a passion for a future in medicine. From a role model perspective, I don't need to look any further than my older sister who battled a cancer diagnosis at 16, beat it, and has become very successful herself."

Success as a sports medicine physician requires drive and determination. Your interviewers want to match fellows that are dedicated to their training and craft, so they ask about who has been your biggest inspiration. This includes both personal and professional motivations.

Before your sports medicine fellowship interview, identify your biggest inspiration or most influential mentor. Talk to the interviewers about who has inspired you and why. If possible, explain how this mentor or influence has inspired your choice to pursue a career as a physician and a future in sports medicine.

"The family physician that I have seen my whole life inspired me to go into medicine and has acted as a mentor in helping guide me towards a career in medicine from the time I was in high school. She not only helped make me better when I was sick; she always encouraged me to push myself to do things I thought were impossible."

What other career path might you have chosen outside of medicine?

"Having been raised by a family of educators, I considered going into education, likely teaching history to middle- and high-school-aged kids. I love to teach, and this age group is so easily influenced by positive role models, as I once was."

While clinical skills are important to the sports medicine fellowship you are interviewing with, sometimes the decision about who to rank the highest comes down to who they feel to be the best personal and cultural fit with their program. For this reason, your team of interviewers will ask several questions to get to know who you are as a person.

While there is no right or wrong answer to a question like this, you want to be sure that you think about questions like this before your sports medicine fellowship interviews. As you answer, talk openly and honestly with your interviewers about where your career path would have ideally taken you if becoming a physician wasn't an option. The key here is shining some light on your interests outside of medicine and giving an answer that will be memorable after they complete their interview processes.

"Being a mission-driven person, I could imagine being happy doing philanthropy work around the world for underdeveloped cities and regions. I was raised from a young age to participate in volunteer activities and have taken a lot of gratitude in doing so."

Outside of your clinical skills, what is your greatest non-medical strength?

"I was attracted to a future in sports medicine because of my trusting personality and ability to connect with today's athletes. I love forming long-term relationships with patients and look forward to building them throughout my time as a fellow with your program and throughout my career in practice. My background makes me passionate about improving my patients' performance and getting them back on the field of play as soon as possible."

So many aspiring physicians go into sports medicine because of the soft skills and interpersonal relationships built in the field. While your interviewing team will be confident in the clinical skills you will bring to their training program, they want to hear you give your best sales pitch on your top non-clinical strengths and why they are important for your future in practice.

Your answer to this question could include soft skills such as empathy, interpersonal communications, or your investigative nature. If possible, tell a brief story that demonstrates why you find this strength necessary for your success during sports medicine fellowship training and your future in practice. Be sure that your answer is well thought out, and speak with a passion to impress your team of interviewers.

"If you were to talk to any of my current peer residents and attending physicians, they wouldn't hesitate to say that my greatest non-medical strength is being a great colleague. I think having positive relationships with your colleagues leads to overall team success. I can collaborate with physicians In other specialty areas and with nursing staff, which I know will be very beneficial in my training here."

What EHR systems have you worked on in your residency training and medical school?

"In my residency program, I worked hands-on with EPIC daily. I loved that it was tailored to my institution, and we could give input on future changes to our program. Even during medical school, I was fortunate to have learned EPIC, Cerner, and another custom system a hospital created, and I've always been proficient in learning new systems. If I'm fortunate enough to match into your sports medicine program, I have no reservations about picking your system up quickly and efficiently from day one."

During a sports medicine fellowship, staying on top of patient care notes in the EHR is vital because support staff needs to see notes in real-time. This includes physical therapists, nursing staff, and orthopedic providers. Your interviewers pose this question to get a feel for what programs you are comfortable with and to get the sense that you will train and be up and running in short order after joining.

First, speak openly and honestly about your experiences with different EHR programs during residency training and medical school; talk about each program you trained in and the role you played within each. Then assure your interviewers that you are comfortable working on their system by expressing your ability to learn any program with minimal training. Feel free to discuss your role in documenting patient notes during your residency training and highlight the fact that you always prioritized it, even when things were busy.

"I have gained valuable experience using EHRs through my residency and medical school training on many different systems, most recently Cerner, over the last three years. During residency, I learned the importance of prompt patient charting because many specialty providers and care teams relied on my notes for referrals. I know therapists and nursing staff will rely on my notes during my fellowship, so they must be swift and accurate. I would always prioritize this during my work day."

You see a nurse 'pretend' to give a narcotic to your patient who is writhing in pain while her back is turned to you. Then you see the medication in her pocket. What do you do?

"I would record the patient's name, the nurse's name, and the time of the incident. Then, I would look on the patient's chart to see who ordered the medication if I hadn't. Since it is a nurse and not officially a resident in my program, I would report the incident to the nurse's immediate supervisor. However, my responsibility doesn't end there, because I have to act as my patient's advocate and make sure the supervisor followed her own service's and the hospital's protocol for this type of infraction. Just because it's not another resident does not excuse me from following up on this--for that nurse's sake (who has a problem), her nursing service's sake, and--especially--the patient's sake."

Substance abuse among healthcare providers and staff is becoming more prevalent. Your interviewers want to know that you are aware of this fact and that you are willing and ready to step in when you witness it. Not doing so can put the patient, the staff, and the institution at major risk.

This question is a little tricky because it involves a person who is not part of your training program. However, if it involves both a patient and the program that you represent, it is your business. Assure your team of interviewers that you would immediately address the situation with the nurse and take the issue up the chain of command immediately.

"I would immediately notify my attending physician as this is a serious safety concern for both the patient and the nurse. I would do so discreetly and in a respectful manner."

How would you handle a patient who was being rude to a scheduler or nurse?

"Being rude is one thing, but abuse is another. Personal attacks and verbal abuse with foul language are hurtful and ugly for other patients to see. I would have a duty to protect not only my colleague in this situation from any abuse from a patient. If the situation didn't quite go that far, I would quickly insert myself into the conversation to respectfully let the patient know they were out of line."

In a busy clinic setting, patients can sometimes be irritable, upset, or in a bad mood. Mutual respect is essential in any clinical atmosphere. The sports medicine program you are interviewing with wants to hear that the candidates they match will do what is necessary to ensure that every person is treated with respect and dignity.

In a situation like this, you need to ensure that the patient knows they are out of line. As a sports medicine physician, you will be working with patients of every age, and your ability to handle challenging situations needs to be displayed. Make sure to point out that you won't be hesitant to say something to the patient in a respectful manner of your own in this situation.

"Just as it is important for staff to respect patients, patients must treat staff respectfully. As a fellow with your program, I assure you that I would speak cordially with the patient in this situation. Of course, I would take the time to listen to them and hear their concern. It's a fine line to walk, one I became familiar with during my residency training."

Long days and stressful rotations are the norm in our program. How do you plan to manage this during your fellowship?

"When I am under pressure, I focus on the task at hand and make sure I don't get distracted. This was a helpful strategy during my residency training. I know I will face the most grueling year of my training as a sports medicine fellow. I plan to utilize my free time wisely by doing what is necessary to recharge my mind and rest my body. I like to do this by playing golf, hiking with my dog, and reading."

Physicians in any medical specialty are known to have a high amount of stress and burnout due to the nature of the work. As you likely experienced during your residency, a year of intense training is the norm for sports medicine fellows. Your interviewers need to know you can handle the stress during your time with their program.

Explain to your interviewers that you have the tools to keep your mind, body, and spirit in the best shape possible to learn and grow every day during sports medicine fellowship training. Talk about your ability to maintain perspective, use your downtime to recharge, and come to each shift prepared for the challenges that you'll face. If you have an example of how you capably handled a very intense time during your residency training, this is a great time to discuss that situation.

"Exercise is one healthy coping skill I use to deal with stress outside the clinic or hospital. It helps me stay refreshed and focused during long hours, and I hope to continue doing this while in fellowship training to help prevent burnout."

Talk about the collaboration skills you developed during you residency training. How will these skills benefit you during your sports medicine fellowship training?

"During my internal medicine residency program, I feel very fortunate to have learned firsthand how important teamwork is in clinic and hospital settings. I intend to bring my top-notch communication skills to your fellowship program. I maintain open lines of communication with my colleagues and support staff. In a busy clinic setting, there can be a hundred things happening at once, and the only way for the team to keep abreast of everything is through communication. I'm also excited to come to your program and take charge of a care team. You'll quickly find that people typically work well with my leadership style. I listen to ideas from everyone, show respect for everyone I work with, and don't hesitate to grab the bull by the horns when needed."

As a sports medicine fellow, you will collaborate with many other physicians, care team members, and coaching staff members while in the field training. To ensure that their trainees are seen as world-class team members, your team of interviewers needs to be assured that you come to their team as an excellent team player and collaborator. Being a natural leader will also be a plus for them.

Describe your approach to collaborating with others while highlighting how your collaboration style will be a good match for the sports medicine program you are interviewing with. Talk about the types of collaborations you made during your residency training and highlight your leadership skills, communication skills, listening skills, and the respect you show for others in a working environment. If you have examples of times you've proven to be a solid team player during your residency training, don't hesitate to share them.

"I am excited for the chance to be a part of your fellowship program! I have experience working well within a team setting. During my residency training, I worked effectively with my resident colleagues, attending physicians, nursing teams, and physicians from other specialties. I always made sure to overcommunicate when necessary, especially when patient care was concerned. I can use these skills to effectively work with others to provide excellent patient care during my training in your program as well."

Sports Medicine Fellowship Interview Questions

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1. As a new sports medicine fellow, will you be comfortable handling direct patient care with little supervision?
2. Tell us about the most interesting case you were exposed to in medical school. What intrigued you so much about it?
3. Tell us about a time you had a setback or failure during your residency training. How did you respond?
4. Have you looked at the elective rotations we offer our sports medicine fellows? Which ones interest you the most?
5. What are you looking to take from your training with our sports medicine fellowship program?
6. Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you would like to pursue during your Sports Medicine Fellowship?
7. Communication skills are essential in the sports medicine field. How would you describe your communication skills?
8. Have you put any thought into areas of interest for your research project during your sports medicine fellowship training?
9. How would you like to see the delivery of healthcare evolve in the future? How do you see this impacting sports medicine?
10. What challenges do you think the field of sports medicine will face in the next few years?
11. Technology and research is rapidly changing sports medicine. Where do you see the field heading in the next five years, and what part do you intend to play as a sports medicine physician?
12. What role do you feel nutrition plays in helping the injured athlete?
13. Are you familiar with the common ways to stay on top of trends and changes in the sports medicine field?
14. A requirement of our sports medicine fellowship program is providing team coverage, including some off hours. Can you commit to hours outside of general clinic hours?
15. Are you considering any other sports medicine fellowship programs?
16. Do you foresee any issues in relocating to join our sports medicine fellowship program if you were to match here?
17. The coming year of sports medicine fellowship will be action-packed and busy. Are you ready to handle a large workload?
18. Anyone that matches into our fellowship program must pass a criminal record check. Is there any reason you would not be comfortable with this?
19. Are there any procedures you would like to focus on during your sports medicine fellowship?
20. Do you feel like you would have any shortcomings upon entering our sport medicine fellowship? If so, what steps would you take to improve?
21. What made you choose to pursue sports medicine?
22. Outside of medicine, what are your personal interests and hobbies?
23. Who has been the biggest mentor or inspiration to you in your pursuit of a career in medicine?
24. What other career path might you have chosen outside of medicine?
25. Outside of your clinical skills, what is your greatest non-medical strength?
26. What EHR systems have you worked on in your residency training and medical school?
27. You see a nurse 'pretend' to give a narcotic to your patient who is writhing in pain while her back is turned to you. Then you see the medication in her pocket. What do you do?
28. How would you handle a patient who was being rude to a scheduler or nurse?
29. Long days and stressful rotations are the norm in our program. How do you plan to manage this during your fellowship?
30. Talk about the collaboration skills you developed during you residency training. How will these skills benefit you during your sports medicine fellowship training?

Sports Medicine Fellowship Interview Questions

1. As a new sports medicine fellow, will you be comfortable handling direct patient care with little supervision?

2. Tell us about the most interesting case you were exposed to in medical school. What intrigued you so much about it?

3. Tell us about a time you had a setback or failure during your residency training. How did you respond?

4. Have you looked at the elective rotations we offer our sports medicine fellows? Which ones interest you the most?

5. What are you looking to take from your training with our sports medicine fellowship program?

6. Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you would like to pursue during your Sports Medicine Fellowship?

7. Communication skills are essential in the sports medicine field. How would you describe your communication skills?

8. Have you put any thought into areas of interest for your research project during your sports medicine fellowship training?

9. How would you like to see the delivery of healthcare evolve in the future? How do you see this impacting sports medicine?

10. What challenges do you think the field of sports medicine will face in the next few years?

11. Technology and research is rapidly changing sports medicine. Where do you see the field heading in the next five years, and what part do you intend to play as a sports medicine physician?

12. What role do you feel nutrition plays in helping the injured athlete?

13. Are you familiar with the common ways to stay on top of trends and changes in the sports medicine field?

14. A requirement of our sports medicine fellowship program is providing team coverage, including some off hours. Can you commit to hours outside of general clinic hours?

15. Are you considering any other sports medicine fellowship programs?

16. Do you foresee any issues in relocating to join our sports medicine fellowship program if you were to match here?

17. The coming year of sports medicine fellowship will be action-packed and busy. Are you ready to handle a large workload?

18. Anyone that matches into our fellowship program must pass a criminal record check. Is there any reason you would not be comfortable with this?

19. Are there any procedures you would like to focus on during your sports medicine fellowship?

20. Do you feel like you would have any shortcomings upon entering our sport medicine fellowship? If so, what steps would you take to improve?

21. What made you choose to pursue sports medicine?

22. Outside of medicine, what are your personal interests and hobbies?

23. Who has been the biggest mentor or inspiration to you in your pursuit of a career in medicine?

24. What other career path might you have chosen outside of medicine?

25. Outside of your clinical skills, what is your greatest non-medical strength?

26. What EHR systems have you worked on in your residency training and medical school?

27. You see a nurse 'pretend' to give a narcotic to your patient who is writhing in pain while her back is turned to you. Then you see the medication in her pocket. What do you do?

28. How would you handle a patient who was being rude to a scheduler or nurse?

29. Long days and stressful rotations are the norm in our program. How do you plan to manage this during your fellowship?

30. Talk about the collaboration skills you developed during you residency training. How will these skills benefit you during your sports medicine fellowship training?