Could you walk me through how you decide that a sports injury should be managed conservatively versus referring for surgical intervention? What factors influence whether you recommend rehab first or surgery right away?

Specialty-Specific

Purpose

This question checks your understanding of Sports Medicine's focus on non-operative care and your ability to make thoughtful decisions balancing quick recovery with long-term health.

Tips

  • Break down your decision-making into clear factors: injury specifics, patient details, and sport demands.
  • Use specific examples to illustrate your thought process, showing how you weigh different factors.
  • Highlight the importance of collaboration with other healthcare professionals and shared decision-making with the patient.

Common mistakes

  • Don't give a one-size-fits-all answer; every injury and athlete is different.
  • Avoid being overly simplistic; show depth in your understanding of both conservative and surgical options.
  • Don't forget to mention the importance of patient education and managing their expectations.