[A comparison of orthopaedic sports medicine education in Germany and the US].

INTRODUCTION

The international exchange of German doctors especially in the US makes it important to compare both educational systems. The goal of this article is to discuss the differences and similarities between the German and US American curricula for Orthopaedic Sports Medicine.

METHODS

The German and US American curricula for Sports Medicine and their education and fellowship programs were compared.

RESULTS

The title 'Specialist for Sports Medicine' can be obtained in both countries. In Germany the curriculum is not speciality specific but offers a general Sports Medicine education that can be obtained through courses or fellowships. In the US this title can be obtained in two different ways, either through the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), or the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) and their respective fellowship programs.

DISCUSSION

The Sports Medicine curriculum in Germany and in the US is different with a general Sports Medicine program in Germany and a specific Sports Orthopaedic program in the US.