Orthopedics vs Primary Care: Time for a Cease-Fire.

Abstract

Want to generate a little excitement at your next conference? Ask family physicians or orthopedists, "What specialty is best suited to act as team physicians?" As an editor, I've had the opportunity to be a "fly on the wall" when this subject has been debated. I often talk to family physicians who feel they have a more holistic approach and a wider range of skills to meet the vast array of problems encountered by the physically active. As they point out, musculoskeletal injuries, and particularly those that need surgery, are only one, small part of sports medicine.