Junior Resident

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RAMS Roadmaps-Junior Resident

 

The first two years of emergency medicine (EM) residency are critical for developing a strong clinical foundation while laying the groundwork for a sports medicine fellowship application. The focus should be on time management, skill-building, and early involvement in sports medicine-related experiences.

PGY1: Establish Strong Clinical and Study Habits

  • Prioritize mastering core EM knowledge and procedural skills.
  • Begin developing effective study habits to balance clinical work, in-service exams, and personal growth.
  • Identify mentors early - connect with EM or sports medicine faculty who can guide you through opportunities in event coverage, electives, and research.
  • Keep an eye out for interesting sports-related cases in the emergency department (ED) and use them as opportunities to refine musculoskeletal exam skills.

PGY2: Gain Hands-On Sports Medicine Experience

  • Start volunteering for event coverage (local high school football, marathons, collegiate athletics).
  • If possible, schedule an elective rotation in sports medicine or orthopedics - especially at programs with a sports medicine fellowship.
  • Get involved in research or case reports. Consider projects on concussions, ultrasound, or injury prevention to strengthen your application.
  • Take a leadership role in your hospital's sports medicine interest group or resident committees, or create one if none exist.
  • If feasible, attend a sports medicine or EM conference to network with faculty and learn more about fellowship programs.
  • Check out the SAEM Fellowship Directory to familiarize yourself with the various sports medicine fellowships available, and check out the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) sports medicine fellowship application process webpage for more information on the timeline.

Mentorship

If your program does not have any EM or sports medicine mentorship, reach out to national organizations like AMSSM or the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and utilize their mentorship programs. You can also attend national conferences like the SAEM Annual Meeting or the AMSSM conference for networking opportunities. Reaching out to individual programs of interest for opportunities and information about available mentors is also recommended.