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Brooklyn
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What should I take into consideration when trying to decided to be a family Medical Physician or an Athletic Trainer?
I was wondering what I should take into consideration because I am trying to figure out which career would suit me best.
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5 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Brooklyn !
Those are two very exciting careers working directly with peoples' health and well being. The best way to decide which career to choose if you have a passion for both and can't decide, is to first think about how many years you want to go to college. Being a doctor will take twelve years and being an athletic trainer will take four years plus taking and passing a licensing exam. Than you can decide which type of patients you would want. As a doctor, you will see all people, with all illnesses and injuries and work in a hospital or doctor office or clinic. As an athletic trainer, you will only see patients that are athletes. You will be on the sports field or in an office and deal with the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and also work with them to teach them how to avoid injuries. Think about which one you see yourself doing and preferring.
According to statistics, doctors make a larger salary than athletic trainers, so you may want to not make that the deal maker but consider which is important to you and check the salary statistics when you are about to enroll in college for more updated information.
I hope that this is a bit of a help in your decision and I wish you all the best in your future.
Those are two very exciting careers working directly with peoples' health and well being. The best way to decide which career to choose if you have a passion for both and can't decide, is to first think about how many years you want to go to college. Being a doctor will take twelve years and being an athletic trainer will take four years plus taking and passing a licensing exam. Than you can decide which type of patients you would want. As a doctor, you will see all people, with all illnesses and injuries and work in a hospital or doctor office or clinic. As an athletic trainer, you will only see patients that are athletes. You will be on the sports field or in an office and deal with the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and also work with them to teach them how to avoid injuries. Think about which one you see yourself doing and preferring.
According to statistics, doctors make a larger salary than athletic trainers, so you may want to not make that the deal maker but consider which is important to you and check the salary statistics when you are about to enroll in college for more updated information.
I hope that this is a bit of a help in your decision and I wish you all the best in your future.
Martin Schoen
APRN
282
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Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Both fields share a lot of common ground, each requiring the completion of medical school and a residency. If you're drawn towards family practice, you'll be trained in an area that caters to all age groups. This field is truly fulfilling. If your interests lie more in the athletic side of medicine, you have a variety of options, even though the residencies are alike. Among these are Occupational Medicine, Sports Medicine, Orthopedics, and others, depending on your preferred practice area. You might also consider becoming a Physiatrist, a specialist who treats sports injuries and merges many of these disciplines. Remember, you don't need to make a decision right away. As you explore various specialties during medical school, you might discover a stronger interest in one over the others. It's an exciting journey of discovery!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Brooklyn,
Considerations for Choosing Between Family Medical Physician and Athletic Trainer
When deciding between a career as a Family Medical Physician (FMP) or an Athletic Trainer (AT), there are several key factors to consider. Each profession has distinct roles, educational requirements, work environments, and personal fulfillment aspects that can significantly influence your decision.
1. Educational Requirements
Family Medical Physician: Becoming an FMP requires extensive education and training. This typically includes:
A bachelor’s degree (4 years)
Medical school (4 years)
Residency in family medicine (3 years)
In total, this pathway generally takes around 11 years after high school. Physicians must also pass licensing exams and may choose to pursue board certification.
Athletic Trainer: The educational path for an AT is shorter but still rigorous. It usually involves:
A bachelor’s degree in athletic training or a related field (4 years)
Many programs now require a master’s degree for entry-level positions.
Additionally, ATs must obtain certification from the Board of Certification (BOC) and meet state licensure requirements, which can vary by location.
2. Job Responsibilities
Family Medical Physician: FMPs provide comprehensive healthcare services to individuals and families. Their responsibilities include:
Diagnosing and treating illnesses
Performing routine check-ups
Managing chronic conditions
Providing preventive care
They often work in clinics or private practices and may have long hours, including on-call duties.
Athletic Trainer: ATs focus on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries. Their responsibilities include:
Developing injury prevention programs
Providing immediate care for injuries
Collaborating with physicians regarding patient care
They often work in schools, colleges, professional sports teams, or clinics specializing in sports medicine.
3. Work Environment
Family Medical Physician: FMPs typically work in clinical settings such as hospitals or private practices. The environment can be fast-paced with varying patient loads and cases.
Athletic Trainer: ATs often work in dynamic environments such as gyms, sports fields, or schools where they are actively involved with athletes during practices and games.
4. Work-Life Balance
Family Medical Physician: The demanding nature of medical training and practice can lead to long hours and less predictable schedules. However, many FMPs find fulfillment in their ability to impact patients’ lives positively.
Athletic Trainer: While ATs also face demanding schedules—especially during sports seasons—they may enjoy more regular hours compared to physicians depending on their specific role.
5. Personal Interests and Skills
Consider your interests in patient interaction versus athletic performance:
If you enjoy working closely with families over time and managing diverse health issues, family medicine might be more suitable.
If you have a passion for sports science, injury prevention, and rehabilitation within athletic contexts, then becoming an athletic trainer could be the right choice.
6. Salary Expectations
Salary can vary widely based on location, experience level, and specific job roles:
Family Medical Physicians generally earn higher salaries compared to athletic trainers due to the extensive education required.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2022, the median annual wage for family physicians was approximately $227,000 while athletic trainers earned about $53,000 annually.
In conclusion, when deciding between becoming a Family Medical Physician or an Athletic Trainer, consider your educational commitment willingness to engage with patients over time versus focusing on athletes’ health needs directly through injury management. Reflecting on these factors will help you determine which career aligns best with your personal goals and lifestyle preferences.
Top Authoritative Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides detailed information about job outlooks, salary expectations, educational requirements for various professions including family physicians and athletic trainers.
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP): Offers resources regarding the role of family medicine practitioners including their responsibilities and training pathways.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA): Supplies comprehensive information about the profession of athletic training including certification processes and job responsibilities.
Probability that the answer is correct: 95%
God Bless You!
JC.
Considerations for Choosing Between Family Medical Physician and Athletic Trainer
When deciding between a career as a Family Medical Physician (FMP) or an Athletic Trainer (AT), there are several key factors to consider. Each profession has distinct roles, educational requirements, work environments, and personal fulfillment aspects that can significantly influence your decision.
1. Educational Requirements
Family Medical Physician: Becoming an FMP requires extensive education and training. This typically includes:
A bachelor’s degree (4 years)
Medical school (4 years)
Residency in family medicine (3 years)
In total, this pathway generally takes around 11 years after high school. Physicians must also pass licensing exams and may choose to pursue board certification.
Athletic Trainer: The educational path for an AT is shorter but still rigorous. It usually involves:
A bachelor’s degree in athletic training or a related field (4 years)
Many programs now require a master’s degree for entry-level positions.
Additionally, ATs must obtain certification from the Board of Certification (BOC) and meet state licensure requirements, which can vary by location.
2. Job Responsibilities
Family Medical Physician: FMPs provide comprehensive healthcare services to individuals and families. Their responsibilities include:
Diagnosing and treating illnesses
Performing routine check-ups
Managing chronic conditions
Providing preventive care
They often work in clinics or private practices and may have long hours, including on-call duties.
Athletic Trainer: ATs focus on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries. Their responsibilities include:
Developing injury prevention programs
Providing immediate care for injuries
Collaborating with physicians regarding patient care
They often work in schools, colleges, professional sports teams, or clinics specializing in sports medicine.
3. Work Environment
Family Medical Physician: FMPs typically work in clinical settings such as hospitals or private practices. The environment can be fast-paced with varying patient loads and cases.
Athletic Trainer: ATs often work in dynamic environments such as gyms, sports fields, or schools where they are actively involved with athletes during practices and games.
4. Work-Life Balance
Family Medical Physician: The demanding nature of medical training and practice can lead to long hours and less predictable schedules. However, many FMPs find fulfillment in their ability to impact patients’ lives positively.
Athletic Trainer: While ATs also face demanding schedules—especially during sports seasons—they may enjoy more regular hours compared to physicians depending on their specific role.
5. Personal Interests and Skills
Consider your interests in patient interaction versus athletic performance:
If you enjoy working closely with families over time and managing diverse health issues, family medicine might be more suitable.
If you have a passion for sports science, injury prevention, and rehabilitation within athletic contexts, then becoming an athletic trainer could be the right choice.
6. Salary Expectations
Salary can vary widely based on location, experience level, and specific job roles:
Family Medical Physicians generally earn higher salaries compared to athletic trainers due to the extensive education required.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2022, the median annual wage for family physicians was approximately $227,000 while athletic trainers earned about $53,000 annually.
In conclusion, when deciding between becoming a Family Medical Physician or an Athletic Trainer, consider your educational commitment willingness to engage with patients over time versus focusing on athletes’ health needs directly through injury management. Reflecting on these factors will help you determine which career aligns best with your personal goals and lifestyle preferences.
Top Authoritative Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides detailed information about job outlooks, salary expectations, educational requirements for various professions including family physicians and athletic trainers.
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP): Offers resources regarding the role of family medicine practitioners including their responsibilities and training pathways.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA): Supplies comprehensive information about the profession of athletic training including certification processes and job responsibilities.
Probability that the answer is correct: 95%
God Bless You!
JC.
Michel Davis
Medical student
171
Answers
Cranston, Rhode Island
Updated
Michel’s Answer
I think one of the most important things for both of these careers is to look at the different jobs and see if you can shadow for them. Before i started medical school i ended up spending time inside the hospital with a doctor to see what their day to day life was like. I never realized how many different things went into medicine. There is a lot more paperwork then people realize, but there was also a lot of time working with patients that i truly liked. Before choosing a path it is very important to spend time with the jobs that you are interested in so you can decide which path is for you.
Houcine Lakhchach
Career Development Specialist | U.S Department exchange Alumnus | EFL/ESL trainer | Program manager
139
Answers
Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Morocco
Updated
Houcine’s Answer
Hello Brooklyn,
Choosing between being a Family Medical Physician and an Athletic Trainer involves considering various factors to align your career with your interests and goals. Here are some aspects to reflect on:
For Family Medical Physician:
Consider your interest in providing comprehensive healthcare to individuals and families.
Think about your willingness to undergo extensive education, including medical school and residency.
Reflect on your comfort with the responsibility of diagnosing and treating a broad range of medical conditions.
Evaluate your desire for a career that offers a high level of autonomy and the opportunity to build long-term patient relationships.
For Athletic Trainer:
Assess your passion for sports and interest in working closely with athletes to prevent and treat injuries.
Consider your willingness to pursue a bachelor's degree in athletic training or a related field.
Think about your comfort level working in sports environments, such as schools, colleges, or professional sports teams.
Reflect on your preference for a career that focuses on preventive care, rehabilitation, and the overall well-being of athletes.
Ultimately, your decision should align with your personal interests, values, and the work environment you find most fulfilling. Exploring internships or shadowing experiences in both fields can provide valuable insights.
Warm regards,
Houcine
Choosing between being a Family Medical Physician and an Athletic Trainer involves considering various factors to align your career with your interests and goals. Here are some aspects to reflect on:
For Family Medical Physician:
Consider your interest in providing comprehensive healthcare to individuals and families.
Think about your willingness to undergo extensive education, including medical school and residency.
Reflect on your comfort with the responsibility of diagnosing and treating a broad range of medical conditions.
Evaluate your desire for a career that offers a high level of autonomy and the opportunity to build long-term patient relationships.
For Athletic Trainer:
Assess your passion for sports and interest in working closely with athletes to prevent and treat injuries.
Consider your willingness to pursue a bachelor's degree in athletic training or a related field.
Think about your comfort level working in sports environments, such as schools, colleges, or professional sports teams.
Reflect on your preference for a career that focuses on preventive care, rehabilitation, and the overall well-being of athletes.
Ultimately, your decision should align with your personal interests, values, and the work environment you find most fulfilling. Exploring internships or shadowing experiences in both fields can provide valuable insights.
Warm regards,
Houcine