Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Curriculum Guidelines for Pediatric Residents

Abstract

Musculoskeletal (MSK) and sports-related conditions are relatively common in the pediatric population. Pediatric residencies should provide residents with the knowledge and skills to assess and manage both acute and chronic MSK and sports injuries and complaints. Residents should develop the competencies and attitudes to safeguard and promote a healthy and active lifestyle for youth. Programs can use a variety of educational tools, both in the clinic and on the field, to provide a well-rounded MSK curriculum throughout the residency years. This article provides a review of general pediatric sports medicine curriculum guidelines and suggested implementation strategies.

Sports Medicine Curricular Recommendations for Undergraduate Medical Education

“…It may not be feasible to implement an entire curriculum all at once; however, schools should implement as much as possible based on available resources. Previously published resources for resident SM education may prove useful in supporting implementation at the UME level (18)(19)(20)(21)(22).…”

“…To address the SM knowledge needs of physicians in various specialties, formal recommendations have been published that provide a guide for resident specialty-specific expectations (18)(19)(20)(21)(22). However, to date, there are no formal recommendations for medical student SM education, and literature surrounding SM education initiatives for medical learners is sparse.…”

Sport activities for children and adolescents: the Position of the European Academy of Paediatrics and the European Confederation of Primary Care Paediatricians 2023—Part 1. Pre-participation physical evaluation in young athletes

“…Suggested examples of quick musculoskeletal examinations are offered by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) in online educational resources ( 98 ). In 2021, the American College of Sports Medicine published Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Curriculum Guidelines for Pediatric Residents ( 99 ).…”

“…Limiting activity is also important for preventing complications such as dehydration or thermoregulatory problems. Some athletes will require further re-evaluation (e.g., referral to cardiology, neurology, or orthopedic specialists) ( 28 , 95 , 99 , 100 ) and treatment (e.g., treatment of hypertension or exercise-induced bronchospasm, ablation of accessory pathway in WPW syndrome, implantation of cardioverter defibrillator) ( 28 ), or they should be included in a physiotherapy program (e.g., after an orthopedic operation) before a return to play (RTP). Participation in PA should be assessed regularly.…”